Cruciate ligament rupture (synonyms: cruciate ligament lesion; cruciate ligament tear; cruciate ligament damage; KB rupture; ICD-10-GM S83.50: Unspecified cruciate ligament: cruciate ligament tear o.n.a.) refers to a partial (incomplete) or complete (full) rupture (tear) of one or both cruciate ligaments (in the knee).
According to the ICD-10-GM, the following forms can be distinguished:
- ICD-10-GM S83.50: Unspecified cruciate ligament: cruciate ligament tear o.n.a.
- ICD-10-GM S83.53: Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL; ligamentum cruciatum anterius), partial or complete.
- ICD-10-GM S83.54: Rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament (ACL; ligamentum cruciatum posterius), partial or complete
Injuries to the ligaments of the knee account for approximately 40% of all clinically relevant knee injuries. Of these 40%, two-thirds are cruciate ligament ruptures. The anterior cruciate ligament tears about ten times more often than the posterior. In every third cruciate ligament rupture, the meniscus is also damaged.
The most frequent cruciate ligament ruptures in Germany occur in the sports of soccer, handball and skiing (alpine).
More than 70% of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures occur without external impact, e.g. when landing after a jump or during a rapid change of direction (e.g. in handball).
Sex ratio: males to females is 1: 2-8 (probably due to anatomical differences, hormones or training techniques).
Peak incidence: anterior cruciate ligament rupture occurs predominantly between the ages of 15 and 25.
The incidence (frequency of new cases) of anterior cruciate ligament rupture is approximately 0.5-1 cases per 1,000 inhabitants per year (in Central Europe and the USA).
Course and prognosis: In the case of a rupture (tear) of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the necessity of treatment must be determined on an individual basis, taking into account age, athletic strain, symptoms, other illnesses, and many other factors. Surgical therapy is often necessary. Not every rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament (ACL) requires surgery. A rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament that is recognized immediately can be treated with a PTS splint (PTS = posterior tibial support). Surgical therapy is usually PCL replacement surgery (PCL = posterior cruciate ligament; see surgical therapy). The prognosis is relatively good: one third of those affected achieve good results through muscle training. One third have to restrict their activities. One-third experience complications.
