Background: Our current understanding of tibiofemoral kinematics in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee is very limited. Using vertical open-access MRI, it is possible to accurately analyze tibiofemoral motion in patients with isolated rupture of the ACL.
Study: Prospective cohort study.
Purpose: To assess if ACL rupture alters normal knee weightbearing kinematics.
Methods: Tibiofemoral motion was assessed through the arc of flexion from 0 ° to 90 ° in 10 patients with isolated rupture of the ACL in one knee and a normal contralateral knee. Midmedial and midlateral sagittal images were analyzed in all positions of flexion in both knees to assess the tibiofemoral relationship.
Results: In the lateral compartment of the knee, the tibial plateau is persistently subluxed anteriorly throughout the arc of flexion from 0 ° to 90 ° (flexion facet center to posterior tibial cortex distance of 15.8 mm ± 2.9 in ACL-deficient knees compared to 21.4 mm ± 1.4 in normal knees at 0 ° extension, P< .0001) when compared to normal knees. The medial tibiofemoral relationship is unchanged compared to normal knees.
Conclusion: Rupture of the ACL changes tibiofemoral kinematics producing anterior subluxation of the lateral tibial plateau.
Clinical Significance: Altered kinematics may explain, at least in part, the increased incidence of secondary osteoarthritis in patients with ACL rupture.
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