[Fresh combination injuries of the knee joint--diagnosis and treatment (author's transl)].

The diagnosis of fresh combination injuries of the knee joint is difficult. It is under all circumstances mandatory, occasionally by employing general anesthesia, to establish a diagnosis and the extend of the injury to decide on a conservative or surgical approach. Partial ruptures of the capsule and ligaments may be treated conservatively, complete ruptures are a surgical must. Between 1963 and 1974 we operated on 35 knees in 34 patients after afresh combination injury of the knee joint. 14 patients (15 knees) could be followed between 2 and 10 years postoperatively. All patients were satisfied with the result and were participating in sports. The objective results were excellent in 2, good in 12 and sufficient in 1. Knee joint stability could be reestablished in all knees. Follow-ups of a similar group of 14 patients after reconstructive treatment of an old "unhappy triad" showed considerably poorer results both subjectively and objectively. We conclude that fresh complete ruptures of the ligamentous and capsular structures of the knee joint have to be surgically repaired immediately to prevent permanent damage.