32 patients who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear were included in this trial and randomized to arthroscopic reconstruction or non-operative care. The objective of this study was to compare functional outcome and the effect of these treatment methods on the incidence and progression of knee osteoarthritis over a 10-year follow-up. The results of this trial indicated that functional outcome and knee laxity measures were significantly better in patients who underwent arthroscopic reconstruction compared to non-operative management. There was no difference in the incidence of knee osteoarthritis when evaluated over the 10-year follow-up period.