Abstract
We discuss the treatment of isolated medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury of the knee joint and our results.
The subjects were 45 of 77 athletes who had complained of pain in the inner part of the knee caused by variable sports activity and a feeling of instability during the past 12 years (1986-1997).
The diagnosis of isolated MCL injury was confirmed by valgus stress roentgenograms under anesthesia and by arthroscopy.
The severity of injury varied, but injury lesions were all above the joint space of the knee in this series.
We decided on conservative treatment so that these athletes would be able to return to athletic competitions completely within 12 weeks in all cases.
Regarding their return to competitions, 37 cases (82%) have recovered to the level that there is no marked difference in either muscle force or range of motion (ROM) between the injured and uninjured sides. Most of the remaining eight cases (18%) were women. Although they did not return to competitions because it was off season or for other reasons, their ability to move has recovered to a satisfactory athletic level.
Whether conservative or operative treatment is chosen for athletes, the results of the treatment should be satisfactory. We concluded that at least the results of our conservative treatment for isolated MCL injury, which involves breakage of both layers (superficial and deep) above the joint space of the knee, were good.
