[Medical appraisal of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures]

Abstract

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament tears are one of the most common human ligament ruptures. The assessment of such ruptures is particularly difficult because most ACL injuries involve minimal to no contact. The steps of the assessment are presented with the necessary requirements.

Method: Criteria for determining the cause of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures are discussed against the background of our experience and the literature. Different definitions of causality apply to German statutory accident insurance (workers' compensation) on the one hand and to private accident insurance on the other.

Results: The assessment of disability within the scope of workers' compensation in most cases results in "under 10 to 30%", while in private accident insurance it is rated as 1/10 to 1/20 degree of disablement.