[Management of ligamentous knee injuries (author's transl)]

Injury to ligaments, which will eventually result in knee instability, requires operative treatment when the radiologic tilt exceeds 3 degrees. Therapy comprises anatomic reconstruction of the capsule, ligaments, and menisci. Postoperatively, a hinge cast (limited motion cast = LMC) is applied; a range of motion of 40 degrees does not endanger stability. Excellent subjective results were found in 90% of 80 cases with acute ligamentous lesion upon follow-up examination; 77 patients returned to work after an average of 5.3 weeks after removal of the LMC; range of motion was satisfactory with full stability in 69 patients.