News from sports medicine: Focus on self-healing of the cruciate ligament!

News from sports medicine: Focus on self-healing of the cruciate ligament!

The topic of cruciate ligament injuries is the focus of current research and medical discussion. A new study looks at the self-healing of anterior cruciate ligaments, the most common knee injury worldwide. The study results underline that a wait-and-see approach may be useful in certain patient groups rather than immediate surgical intervention. These findings shed further light on the practice that has so far prevailed in Germany, in which almost all injured people are primarily treated surgically.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, looks at the results of 121 patients over a five-year period. The participants, aged 18 to 35, had an acute total rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. They were followed with a conservative treatment approach. After two years, 30 patients had not required surgery and over half showed signs of spontaneous healing. After five years, it was found that 80% of patients treated conservatively did not require surgery. Further analyzes showed that the non-operated patients consistently performed equally well or even better than operated patients, but without statistically significant differences.

Studies on cruciate ligament operations and rehabilitation

These results put previous assumptions about the need for surgical reconstruction into perspective and show that the treatment must be designed differently depending on the patient. Of course, surgical intervention remains important in competitive sports, especially to prevent permanent instability. Representative of the Universimed warn, however, that inadequate therapy can cause subsequent damage to the meniscus and cartilage.

When it comes to treatment options, the timing and type of treatment of the injury are crucial. While short-term surgery is recommended in most countries, amateur and recreational athletes can wait until the acute symptoms have subsided. The analysis of functional ability was also part of the review: differences in knee laxities were evident between the operated and non-operated groups.

Research initiatives at the German Sport University Cologne

As part of ongoing research into movement patterns and injury prevention, the Institute for Biomechanics and Orthopedics at the German Sports University Cologne currently healthy subjects aged 18 to 45 years. The aim of this study is to examine foot load distribution and jumping and landing movement patterns between healthy individuals and those after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Participation would take approximately 35 to 40 minutes and includes both questionnaires and practical measurements.

In addition to studying cruciate ligament injuries, the institute is also looking for participants for a study on chronic back pain. This study requires subjects with at least three months of acute back pain. Back stabilizing training is planned over a period of 4 to 5 weeks. Despite the research that has already been conducted, there remains a great need for current, comprehensive data to develop optimal treatment approaches for sports injuries.

Given the data presented and ongoing studies, the relationship between conservative and surgical treatment modalities for ACL injuries could be reevaluated to meet diverse patient needs. Ongoing research plays an essential role in adapting medical practice to the latest scientific findings and thus ensuring the best possible patient care.