LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF ISOLATED PARTIAL MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT RUPTURES - A 10-YEAR CLINICAL AND RADIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF A PROSPECTIVELY OBSERVED GROUP OF PATIENTS

We prospectively observed 38 patients with nonoperatively treated isol ated partial ruptures of the knee medial collateral ligament at 3 mont hs, 4 years, and 10 years after the initial trauma using clinical and radiographic examinations. The initial diagnoses were based on clinica l and arthroscopic examinations. Three months alter injury, 28 patient s (74%) had regained nearly normal knee function and muscle strength, and 75% of these patients could perform at their preinjury activity le vel (competitive team sports). Five patients (13%) had increased valgu s laxity (grade I) in the injured knee. After 4 years, the patients ha d a median Lysholm score of 100 (range, 64 to 100). Thirty-three patie nts (87%) had normal knee function during strenuous activities. Repeat injuries to the medial collateral ligament occurred in two patients ( 5%), and another two patients sustained cruciate ligament injuries dur ing the follow-up period. After 10 years, the Lysholm score (median, 9 5; range, 73 to 100) was lower compared with the 4-year score (P < 0.0 3), but the patients still performed on a similarly high activity leve l. Five patients (13%) had distinct signs of beginning osteoarthritis (Fairbank's signs) on radiographs, but none had joint space reduction.