title: Replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament with a polyethylene prosthetic ligament.
abstract: The results of insertion of the Richards Polyflex ligament in 9 patients to replace the anterior cruciate ligament are reported. In 3 of these 9 patients it had been necessary to remove the prosthetic ligament and in another patient the operation had not stabilized the knee. Half of the patients who still have a Polyflex ligament complained of pain. It is concluded that from the material-technical point of view the Polyflex ligament has not yet been satisfactorily developed, and the operation poses a great many technical problems. Technically and functionally this system must still be considered to be in the experimental stages and not yet properly developed for general use.
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery*; D011095:Polyethylenes; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes