Between 1982 and 1984, 49 patients with fresh isolated proximal ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) were operated on in the Trauma Hospital, Salzburg. The operation was performed within 1 week of trauma. The operational technique used was proximal reinsertion of the ruptured ACL alone. Postoperatively the knee was immobilized for 6 weeks in an above-the-knee plaster cast. We were able to re-examine 42 of the 49 patients 5-7 years after injury. In addition to a clinical examination, testing with a KT-1000 arthrometer was performed. The objective and subjective results we found were evaluated using the Lsyholm score and OAK knee evaluation form. We found 12 (29%) absolutely stable knee joints. We accepted a KT-1000 result of up to 3 mm as satisfactory, and 81% of our patients were in this category. The same percentage (81%) scored between 85 and 100 points on the Lysholm scale. Only 52% scored over 90 points on the OAK form. Subjectively only 6 patients (14%) were dissatisfied with their result.