The clinical diagnosis and results of conservative treatment of knee distortion injury

Abstract

Distortion of the knee joint is a considerable trauma even when the knee is primarily stable. Of 50 patients 30% displayed symptoms or signs 2 months after the injury and 36% on subsequent examination an average of 5.6 years later. In a repeat clinical examination one anterior cruciate ligament rupture was not confirmed at the primary stage (2%). For assessment of stability and extent of injury, the repeat clinical examination proved reliable. Ruptures of the meniscus were noted in 18% of the patients in connection with the primary injury. Of those who underwent a meniscus operation, 27% had further operations and, four patients of 50 had another operation as a result of a new trauma. Thus, a total of 25% of the patients required surgery. The material is biased as I sought to exclude ligament ruptures in the first instance. No patient was permanently incapacitated from work. A large portion of the later symptoms were connected with the patellofemoral joint or with the postoperative condition. Bandaging did not affect the resulting recovery rate. Regular exercise of the thigh muscles prevented the onset of quadriceps atrophy, but there was a clear deterioration in the condition of the muscles in the early stages.