Natural history of anterior cruciate tears.

An evaluation of 361 patients with documented anterior cruciate tears was carried out with analysis of mechanisms, symptomatology, physical findings, and limitations. At the time of injury, patients generally heard a loud pop and felt their knee "slide apart" with a subsequent hemarthrosis. Internal tibial rotation was described as the principal mechanism of iniury in 81.6% of the patients. Less than 20% had a triad type injury. A "crossover" test enabled reproduction of the mechanism. On a 100 point scale, those with "no repair" scored a mean of 55.4, direct repairs 56.7, pes transfers 59.6, and modified MacIntosh 88.9 points. The natural course of a patient can often be projected. A Continuing comparative study of results from treatment regimens and procedures is indicated.