Followup of the acute nonoperated isolated anterior cruciate ligament tear
Hawkins RJ. Misamore GW. Merritt TR. x American Journal of Sports Medicine. [JC:3yr] 14(3):205-10, 1986 May-Jun. This report is an attempt to analyze what happens to an isolated ACL tear x that is treated nonoperatively. The results of 40 patients treated x initially by nonoperative means for this injury and followed an average of x 4 years are reported. A very small percentage of these patients had x associated meniscal pathology. Secondary reconstructive surgery was x necessary in 12 patients (30%). Primary meniscal tears were present in 4 x of 25 knees (16%) and secondary meniscal tears occurred in an additional x four of the patients. Giving way was a problem for 36 (86%) of the x nonoperated patients, but pain and swelling were not significant problems x for most. Full return to unlimited athletic activities was possible for x only four (14%) of the patients. Objective signs of ACL insufficiency x could be demonstrated on all patients upon clinical examination at x followup. Overall grading of the knees revealed 87.5% fair or poor x results. x
Original Text by Clifford R. Wheeless, III, MD.
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