Untreated ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament. A follow-up study.

Fifty patients (fifty-three knees) with surgically verified ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament were evaluated at an average of ten years after injury. There was a high incidence of anterior laxity, rotatory instability, and meniscal tears at follow-up. The roentgenographic incidence of osteoarthritis at follow-up was low. Patients who had regained normal thigh circumference had better results than those with thigh atrophy. Although few of the patients felt that the knee was completely normal, 72 per cent of the patients returned to strenuous sports and 47 per cent felt that they had no restrictions because of the knee. This study of untreated ruptures may provide a baseline for evaluation of procedures to repair or reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament.