Conservative Treatment of Acute Isolated Injuries to the Posterior Cruciate Ligament: Prospective Study

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We assessed prospectively the results of acute, isolated, posterior cruciate ligament injuries treated conservatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1999 and December 2001, the study population consited of 11 patients. The patients were treated conservatively and were prescribed full extension long leg splint with posterior tibial support for 6 weeks and then posterior tibial support brace for another 6 weeks. Patients completed a subjective and objective evaluation at 6 weeks, 3 month, 6 month and each year for an average of 17.5 months. RESULTS: Two patients underwent reconstructive surgery because of combined posterolateral rotatory instability. The nine patients were treated conservatively, the mean Orthopadishe Arbeitsguppe Knie score was 93.2 points, International Knee Documentation Committee score in 5 patients was A and 4 patients was B. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that patients with acute, isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries treated conservatively may get good clinical results, but we are planning a long term follow-up evaluation to reveal change in laxity, incidence of arthrosis and their correlation.