Knee laxity in cruciate ligament injury. Value of examination under anesthesia.

Arthrometry was performed before and during anesthesia in 41 patients with acute or old anterior cruciate ligament injuries and only minor signs of valgus or varus instability. The uninjured contralateral knee served as a control. The influence of anesthesia on the anterior stability was distinct in acute knee injuries. There was also a small, but definite, increase in anterior laxity in uninjured knees. Knees with old injuries were more lax, and the injured-uninjured difference in anterior laxity was more pronounced. Stability examination under anesthesia is of great value for acutely injured knees.