Study design and study group
A retrospective controlled cohort study was performed. All patients gave their informed consent and institutional review board approval was obtained. Inclusion criteria were patient age > 18 years, an isolated MDACL diagnosed by MRI or by histological evaluation and a subsequent surgical treatment by partial resection and radiofrequency ablation or complete resection of the ACL. Patients with radiologically apparent degenerative joint disease, cartilage lesions > grade II to ICRS or meniscal lesions were excluded from the study. Patients were treated initially with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections and physiotherapy for a minimum of 6 months before considering surgery.