To determine the clinical results and healing potential of nonoperatively treated isolated medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee.

Fifty-four cases of isolated medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee, which were treated conservatively from Sept. 1993 to Aug. 1998 and followed up for at least one year at Konkuk University Medical Center MinJoong Hospital, were evaluated. Patients with previous knee injuries, knee operations, or general illness as well as with simultaneous knee fractures or other ligament injuries were excluded from the study. Immediate weight-bearing along with knee ROM and muscle strengthening excercise were allowed after the patient became accustomed to H-bar brace fitting. Thirty-three Grade II and 21 Grade I patients were given questionnaires and analyzed radiologically at an average of 44 months (range, 21-70 months) after injury. The methods used included three standardized knee scoring scales for subjective, functional, and objective or roentgenographic evaluations by Indelicato (1990).

Overall, 85.2 % good or excellent clinical results were obtained according to Indelicato's criteria at a short-term followup of a mean 44 months. Some residual medial laxity was common, and poor results were associated with underlying degenerative changes due to old age or from traffic accident.

The outcome of the conservatively treated Grade I and II isolated medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee joint was generally good or excellent in 85.2 % of the patients. Advantages of the treatment included more rapid rehabilitation with less postoperative surgical complications, even though some residual medial laxity was common. Arthroscopy could also be useful in identifying other associated lesions such as mensicus or ACL tears.