[Primary reconstruction of injuries of the capsular ligament of the knee joint]

Abstract

Whether operative or conservative treatment is indicated for acute knee ligament injuries depends on the lesions of the cruciate ligaments: complex instability with rupture of one or both cruciate ligaments and injuries to the lateral or medial ligamentous structures should be treated by operation. Surgical treatment of an isolated rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is recommended only for the young active patient. Surgery is performed by way of a single anterolateral incision with standard medial and if necessary, lateral arthrotomies. Ruptures of the cruciate ligaments are reconstructed with absorbable sutures, which are passed through bone channels. Augmentation with an absorbable allograft is used in most reconstructions of the cruciate ligaments. A knee brace with limited range of motion is used for postoperative rehabilitation. Our long-term results after operative reconstruction of acute instabilities of the knee joint show that ligamentous stability was achieved in most cases, but the functional results were impaired by pain and limited range of motion.