TREATMENT OF COLLATERAL LIGAMENT RUPTURES IN THE KNEE

Functional treatment of the medial collateral ligaments (grades I and II) gives the best results. Both, experimental results and clinical ex perience thus far, show that such treatment leads to a short period of morbidity and always gives a good functional result. Any minimal resi dual instability can be successfully compensated for. Functional treat ment is only possible if the cruciate ligaments are intact. Severe rup tures (grade III) can also be treated with functional therapy, but wit h certain qualifications (not in the presence of axial deviation, cruc iate instability or previous meniscectomy). Isolated lesions of the la teral collateral ligaments are very rare; severe combined ruptures of the capsule and ligaments are treated surgically.