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We describe the results of conservative treatment for complete midsubstance tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 18 skeletally immature patients, followed for a minimum of 36 months. Six patients had an ACL reconstruction during the follow-up period and were assessed immediately before their operation. The average time from initial injury to evaluation was 51 months. All patients had symptoms when reviewed. The modified Lysholm knee score showed one excellent result, one good, eight fair, and eight poor with a mean score of 64.3. Only one patient had returned to her preinjury level of athletics. Secondary meniscal tears were confirmed in six patients, and three more had the clinical signs of a tear at follow-up. Radiological evidence of degenerative changes was found in 11 of the 18 patients. We conclude that the results of non-operative treatment for ACL injuries in this age group are poor and not acceptable.

The biological mechanism that regulates the relationship between the thermal dose and the healing process of soft tissues with low or high water content or with low or high blood perfusion is still under study. Microwave diathermy treatment at 434 and 915 MHz can be effective in the short-term management of musculo-skeletal injuries.

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