Another example of the quackery of traditional sports medicine…….
“…compare the long-term treatment outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment of ACL ruptures in high-level athletes.”
“50 patients with an ACL rupture were eligible for participation, and they were treated either nonoperatively (n = 25) in 1992, consisting of structured rehabilitation and lifestyle adjustments, or operatively (n = 25) between 1994 and 1996 with an arthroscopic transtibial bone–patellar tendon–bone technique.”

“The patients in the nonoperative group were drawn from those who responded well to 3 months of nonoperative treatment, whereas the patients in the operative group were drawn from those who had persistent instability after 3 months of nonoperative treatment.”
“Both groups…..assessed at 10- and 20-year follow-up regarding radiological knee osteoarthritis, functional outcomes, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, meniscal status, and knee stability.”

“All 50 patients (100%) were included in the current study for follow-up. After 20 years, we found knee osteoarthritis in 80% of the operative group compared with 68% of the nonoperative group.”

“There was no difference between groups regarding functional outcomes and meniscectomy performed.”

“…..we found that after 20-year follow-up, there was no difference in knee osteoarthritis between operative versus nonoperative treatment…..”

“Although knee stability was better in the operative group, it did not result in better subjective and objective functional outcomes.”

D.T.Van Yperen, et al
Twenty-Year Follow-up Study Comparing Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures in High-Level Athletes
American Journal Of Sports Medicine — Volume 46 #5 — April 2018 — page 1129