Historical development of sports orthopedics

The history of German sports medicine was decisively influenced by the surg eon August Bier at the beginning of the twentieth century. Initially, gener al medical and physiological problems were emphasized. Individual treatment of injured athletes played an increasing role at the end of last century. Operative treatment of injured athletes and earlier rehabilitation has chan ged therapeutic standards of orthopedic treatment. During critical discussi on of the historical development of the treatment of ruptured anterior cruc iate ligaments and meniscal tears,it becomes evident that treatment methods once rejected may now prove to be useful and correct.