In each of four dogs, teno-osseous autogenous grafts were used to
reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament. The transplanted strips first
underwent ischemia and cellular death, with necrosis of both bone and
tendon. Ingrowth of tissues then occurred rapidly, but complete
incorporation of the tendon or the bone did not occur at one year. However,
the tunnel-to transplant bone was functional and provided sufficient
stability to the knee so that disruption of the reconstructed anterior
cruciate ligament did not occur.