Nonoperative Treatment of Acute Knee Ligament Injuries

Summary

Nonoperative treatment has received little attention in the numerous scientific reports on knee ligament injuries. Great controversy still exists concerning the proper treatment of a knee with a ruptured ligament, especially the anterior cruciate ligament. However, according to the studies of the authors and an extensive review of the literature the indications for conservative management can be established to be all grade I and II sprains (partial tears) of knee ligaments as well as an isolated grade III sprain (complete tear) of the posterior cruciate ligament. In addition, an isolated complete rupture of an anterior cruciate, or medial or lateral collateral ligament may be treated nonoperatively in an older sedentary person. Other injuries obviously call for an operative approach at the acute stage.

Nonoperative therapy protocols must be based on the knowledge of the biological phenomenona occurring during connective tissue healing process. In the first phase of ligament healing the injured knee needs 2 to 3 weeks immobilisation for undisturbed fibroblast invasion and proliferation of collagen fibres. This is achieved by immobilising the knee in a rehabilitative knee brace locked in 40 to 45 degrees of flexion. Thereafter, a gradually increasing controlled mobilisation is allowed in the brace to avoid the deleterious effects of immobilisation to cartilage, bone, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and to enhance the orientation of collagen fibres to the stress lines of the healing ligament. After 4 to 8 weeks the goal for rehabilitation is rapid and full recovery to work and sports. A functional knee brace may be used at this phase to give extra protection before final strengthening of the injured ligament.

During the mobilisation and muscle training of the therapy protocol various specific techniques can be used for strengthening of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles, including isometric, isotonic, isokinetic and eccentric exercises with or without resistive equipments. In addition, electrical stimulation may help prevent muscle wasting due to immobilisation, and continuous passive motion may be used to correct persistent extension or flexion deficit. Normally, jogging is allowed approximately 3 to 6 months after the injury, and an athlete is generally able to return to full activity and competitive sports after 6 to 12 months.

Quite frequently the whole question of successful rehabilitation after a knee ligamentous injury is more motivational rather than methodological and is thus often independent of attending physician’s or physiotherapist’s skill or will. Therefore, one of the most important things during rehabilitation is to motivate and encourage the patient for longstanding, intensive work.