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A series of 90 patients, 85 males and 5 females, all with ACL-ruptures had a follow up between 5 and 12 years. All of them had a primary arthrotomy with or without meniscectomy but in no case an operative repair of the ACL-rupture was done. The most concomitant injury was a torn medial meniscus in 76.3%, a damaged lateral meniscus was found in 17.1%, chondromalacia was seen in 53%, either of tibia, femur or patella. Nearly 60% of the patients could resume their former sports activities in some cases on a lower level, whereas 33% had to change their sport or even had to give up any sport. 75%-80% of the patients with partial or total meniscectomy and 90% of those without meniscectomy estimated the outcome as good or fair. In contrast to this 61% rsp. 86% of the patients with partial or total meniscectomy had an osteoarthritis of grade III and IV, patients without meniscectomy in only 23%.

In our laboratory for biomechanics, a new isolation amplifier was developed with which to record the electromyographic activity of muscles inaccessible to surface electrodes, in particular that of the rotator cuff. Our basic premisses were maximum safety for the patient or subject investigated, and optimal signal processing. These were achieved by a triple galvanic separation of the patient/subject from the battery power supply and the signal cables and by careful selection of the electronic components.