Anatomy.- Form, Function, and Synergisms.- Kinematics.- Kinematics of the Rolling-Gliding Principle.- Model of the Crossed Four-Bar Linkage.- Varying Ratio of Rolling to Gliding.- Kinematics and Anatomic Form of the Femoral Condyle.- Superposition of the Patellar Gliding Surface on the Femoral Condyle.- The Cruciate Ligaments as the Foundation of Knee Joint Kinematics.- Kinematics and Applied Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Ligaments.- Cruciate Ligaments.- Collateral Ligaments.- Medial Collateral Ligament.- Inevitable Placement of Some Ligament Fibers Outside the Theoretical Ideal Line.- The Ideal Lines of Ligament Insertion and the "Dynamization" of Articular Ligaments.- The Retinaculum and Pes Anserinus as "Dynamized Ligaments".- The Medial Ligament System During Movement.- The Lateral Collateral Ligament.- The Lateral Ligament System During Movement.- The Iliotibial Tract as a Direct Femorotibial Collateral Ligament.- The Theoretical Interplay of the Cruciate and Collateral Ligaments.- Automatic Rotation, Terminal Rotation, Initial Rotation.- The Cruciate Ligaments and Movement of the Knee Joint in More Than One Plane.- The Three-Dimensional Four-Bar Linkage and the Central Pivot.- The Posteromedial Corner (Semimembranosus Corner).- Interaction of the Ligaments During Rotation.- The Posterolateral Corner (Popliteus Corner).- Active Stabilization Under Proprioceptive Control.- Rotation.- Physiology and Pathophysiology of Free and Active Rotation.- Active Rotation by the Extensors.- Active Rotation by the Flexors.- Varus-Flexion-IR and Valgus-Flexion-ER.- Injuries of the Active Rotational System.- Agonism and Antagonism Between Extensor-Flexors and Rotators.- Passive Rotatory Stabilization.- The Principle of the Triangular Structure in Passive Rotatory Stabilization.- The Role of the Fabella.- The Triangular Arrangement of the MCL and POL as an Aid to Passive Rotatory Stabilization.- Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Menisci During Rotation.- Examination of the Injured Knee Joint.- General Symptoms.- Testing the Stability of the Knee.- General Considerations and Methods.- Testing Lateral Stability.- Measurement of Instability.- Testing Anterior and Posterior Stability.- Roentgenographic Examination.- Testing Rotational Stability.- Pathophysiology of Rotatory Instabilities.- Cruciate Ligament Insufficiency and Lateral Subluxation Phenomena with the Corresponding Clinical Tests.- Classification of Instabilities.- Instabilities in One Plane or About One Axis.- Rotatory Instabilities.- Combined Instabilities.- Ligamentous Injuries and Instabilities.- Analysis of the Biomechanical Effects of Ligamentous Injuries on Stability in the Four Quadrants.- Instability - Disability.- Injuries of the Ligaments and Capsule.- General.- The Layers of the Medial Capsuloligamentous System.- Medial Ligamentous Injuries with Disruptions of Bone and Ligament Continuity.- The Ligamentous Injury as a Function of the Force and Rate of Deformation.- The Three Degrees of Severity of Ligamentous Injuries.- General Operating Technique.- Suturing Technique for the Various Degrees of Ligamentous Injury.- The Fixation of Avulsed Ligaments with a Screw and Toothed Washer.- Surgical Approaches.- Vessels and Nerves.- Medial Incisions.- Lateral Incisions.- Lateral Long Parapatellar Incision.- Posterior Approach to the Knee Joint.- The Primary Repair of Special Injuries.- Injuries of the Medial Side and Their Repair.- General.- The Normal Medial Aspect.- Tears of the Deep Layer and the POL.- Proximal Avulsion of Both Medial Ligaments.- Principal Tears of the Classic Medial Collateral Ligament.- Temporary Internal Splinting.- Typical Lesions Accompanying Injuries of the Medial Side.- Special Injuries of the Semimembranosus Corner.- Concluding Remarks on Medial Injuries.- Injuries of the Lateral Side and Their Repair.- General.- The Major Passive and Active Stabilizing Structures of the Lateral Side.- Injuries of the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL).- Combined Injuries.- Injuries of the Cruciate Ligaments and Their Repair.- The Blood Supply of the Cruciate Ligaments.- The Normal Structure of the Cruciate Ligaments.- Tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Their Repair.- Recurrent Post-Traumatic Hemarthrosis.- Compensation Limit and Decompensation Threshold.- Compensatory Reserve.- Tears of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament.- Pure Ligamentous Ruptures.- Isolated Cruciate Ligament Tears.- Secondary Repair and Plastic Reconstruction of the Ligaments in Old Injuries.- General.- Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Repair of the Central Pivot.- Our Current Technique of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.- Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.- Arthroscopy in the Planning of Cruciate Ligament Repairs.- Old Combined Ruptures of the Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligaments.- Secondary Repair of the Periphery and Reconstruction of the Five Main Ligaments and Capsule.- The Capsule.- The Semimembranosus Corner.- The Medial Collateral Ligament and Its Secondary Repair.- Repair of the Popliteus Corner.- Repair of the Lateral Collateral Ligament.- Repair of the Lateral Femorotibial Ligamentous Attachment.- Our Current Technique of Anterolateral Femorotibial Reconstruction (1979-1980).- Concomitant Traumatic Cartilage Damage and Its Treatment.- Fresh Concomitant Cartilage Damage.- Concomitant Cartilage Damage in Chronic Instability.- The Treatment of Concomitant Cartilage Damage.- The Effect of Cartilage Damage on Postoperative Care.- Complications.- General Guidelines for Operative Procedures.- Preparing for the Operation.- Instruments.- Suture Material.- Antibiotic Prophylaxis.- Postoperative Rehabilitation.- General.- Goals of Rehabilitation.- The Physiologic and Pathophysiologic Foundations of Postoperative Rehabilitation.- General and Patellar Cartilage Problems.- Muscular Atrophy.- Problems of the Suprapatellar Pouch.- General Pathophysiologic Considerations.- Tools of Rehabilitation.- Postoperative Positioning.- Postoperative Immobilization.- Recent Developments in Postoperative Mobilization.- Active Mobilization.- Weight-Bearing During Rehabilitation.- Physical Therapy.- Pharmacotherapy.- Local Anesthesia.- Examination and Mobilization Under General Anesthesia.- Psychological Guidance.- Clinical Material and Results.- General.- Operative vs. Non-Operative Treatment.- Indication for Operative or Non-Operative Treatment.- Our Results for the Period 1971 - 1977.- Clinical Material.- Results.- Assessment of Results.- List of Sources.- References.