Christian Konrads1, Stephan Reppenhagen2, Daniel Belder2, Sascha Goebel2, Maximilian Rudert2, Thomas Barthel2. 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Wuerzburg, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, Brettreichstr. 11, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany. christian.konrads@gmail.com. 2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Wuerzburg, Koenig-Ludwig-Haus, Brettreichstr. 11, 97074, Wuerzburg, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To analyse subjective and objective long-term outcomes of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees and limited demands regarding sportive activities. This subgroup of patients might be well-treated without ligament reconstruction. METHODS: We included 303 patients with unilateral tears of the ACL and conservative treatment into a prospective study. Mean age at injury was 33.8 (min. 18, max. 66) years. Follow-up was 27.1 (min. 21.3, max. 31.5) years. Follow-up examinations were conducted 12 and 27 years after injury. At the last follow-up we analysed 50 patients completely. To evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes we used the Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale, visual analogue scale for pain (VAS-pain), KOOS and Sherman score. RESULTS: Subjective outcome (Lysholm score and VAS-pain scale) improved between the 12th and 27th year after anterior cruciate ligament tear. At the same time activity level (Tegner activity scale) decreased. Also, arthritis (Sherman score) worsened over time. Twenty-seven years after injury, 90 % of the patients rated their ACL-deficient knee as normal or almost normal; 10 % of the patients rated it as abnormal. The findings of this study show that there is a subgroup of patients with ACL tears who are well treated with physiotherapy alone, not reconstructing the ligament. Also, other authors found this correlation between activity level reduction and better subjective outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment of an ACL tear is a good treatment option for patients with limited demands regarding activity. Patient age, sportive activities and foremost subjective instability symptoms in daily life should be considered when deciding for or against ACL reconstruction.
PURPOSE: To analyse subjective and objective long-term outcomes of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees and limited demands regarding sportive activities. This subgroup of patients might be well-treated without ligament reconstruction. METHODS: We included 303 patients with unilateral tears of the ACL and conservative treatment into a prospective study. Mean age at injury was 33.8 (min. 18, max. 66) years. Follow-up was 27.1 (min. 21.3, max. 31.5) years. Follow-up examinations were conducted 12 and 27 years after injury. At the last follow-up we analysed 50 patients completely. To evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes we used the Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale, visual analogue scale for pain (VAS-pain), KOOS and Sherman score. RESULTS: Subjective outcome (Lysholm score and VAS-pain scale) improved between the 12th and 27th year after anterior cruciate ligament tear. At the same time activity level (Tegner activity scale) decreased. Also, arthritis (Sherman score) worsened over time. Twenty-seven years after injury, 90 % of the patients rated their ACL-deficient knee as normal or almost normal; 10 % of the patients rated it as abnormal. The findings of this study show that there is a subgroup of patients with ACL tears who are well treated with physiotherapy alone, not reconstructing the ligament. Also, other authors found this correlation between activity level reduction and better subjective outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment of an ACL tear is a good treatment option for patients with limited demands regarding activity. Patient age, sportive activities and foremost subjective instability symptoms in daily life should be considered when deciding for or against ACL reconstruction.
Authors: May Arna Risberg; Britt Elin Oiestad; Ragnhild Gunderson; Arne Kristian Aune; Lars Engebretsen; Adam Culvenor; Inger Holm Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2016-02-24 Impact factor: 6.202
Authors: Luiz Felipe Morlin Ambra; Fernando Cury Rezende; Bruno Xavier; Felipe Conrado Shumaker; Carlos Eduardo da Silveira Franciozi; Marcos Vinicius Malheiros Luzo Journal: Int Orthop Date: 2015-07-15 Impact factor: 3.075
Authors: Peter N Chalmers; Nathan A Mall; Mario Moric; Seth L Sherman; George P Paletta; Brian J Cole; Bernard R Bach Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2014-02-19 Impact factor: 5.284