Non-operative management of acute grade III medial collateral ligament injury of the knee: a prospective study.

In a prospective study, 25 patients who had acute complete rupture of the medial collateral ligament of the knee with associated anterior cruciate ligament injury were treated by cast bracing and physiotherapy. Their average age was 27.6 years (range 15-53 years) with average follow-up of 24.2 months (range 12-48 months). All 25 patients had good or excellent results, with return to the pre-injury level of sporting activities by 1 year and with restoration of medial stability. This study shows that conservation treatment of this injury can restore stability to the medial side of the knee, even in the presence of anterior cruciate ligament damage.