KNEE FUNCTION AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURES TREATED CONSERVATIVELY

Thirty-nine patients with ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL) were treated conservatively and were subsequently examined at an average of 5.7 years after injury, the uninjured leg acting as a contr ol. The Tegner activity score was significantly lower than the desired activity level. No patients were free of symptoms and only two could take part in sport which involved pivoting. The isokinetic knee extens or and flexor torques, as well as the one-leg-hop and instrumented kne e joint laxity tests, were significantly impaired at follow-up. Functi onal impairment was not related to tests of knee joint laxity. Few pat ients were pleased with their subjective knee function after an ACL ru pture despite thorough initial rehabilitation.