title: Long-term prognosis of isolated partial medial collateral ligament ruptures. A ten-year clinical and radiographic evaluation of a prospectively observed group of patients.
abstract: We prospectively observed 38 patients with nonoperatively treated isolated partial ruptures of the knee medial collateral ligament at 3 months, 4 years, and 10 years after the initial trauma using clinical and radiographic examinations. The initial diagnoses were based on clinical and arthroscopic examinations. Three months after injury, 28 patients (74%) had regained nearly normal knee function and muscle strength, and 75% of these patients could perform at their preinjury activity level (competitive team sports). Five patients (13%) had increased valgus laxity (grade 1) in the injured knee. After 4 years, the patients had a median Lysholm score of 100 (range, 64 to 100). Thirty-three patients (87%) had normal knee function during strenuous activities. Repeat injuries to the medial collateral ligament occurred in two patients (5%), and another two patients sustained cruciate ligament injuries during the follow-up period. After 10 years, the Lysholm score (median, 95; range, 73 to 100) was lower compared with the 4-year score (P < 0.03), but the patients still performed on a similarly high activity level. Five patients (13%) had distinct signs of beginning osteoarthritis (Fairbank's signs) on radiographs, but none had joint space reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics-Sports Medicine, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lundberg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Messner
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007718:Knee Injuries; D008297:Male; D017888:Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee / Q000293:injuries*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D016896:Treatment Outcome