[Treatment of collateral ligament ruptures of the knee joint]

Functional treatment of the medial collateral ligaments (grades I and II) gives the best results. Both, experimental results and clinical experience thus far, show that such treatment leads to a short period of morbidity and always gives a good functional result. Any minimal residual instability can be successfully compensated for. Functional treatment is only possible if the cruciate ligaments are intact. Severe ruptures (grade III) can also be treated with functional therapy, but with certain qualifications (not in the presence of axial deviation, cruciate instability or previous meniscectomy). Isolated lesions of the lateral collateral ligaments are very rare; severe combined ruptures of the capsule and ligaments are treated surgically.