International Journal of Anatomy Radiology and Surgery (Oct 2018)

Is Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Common at Tibial or Femoral End?

  • Sakkarai Jayagandhi,
  • Linu Kuruvilla,
  • Virender Kumar Nim,
  • M Mohan Kumar,
  • S Senthil Kumar

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7860/IJARS/2018/36805:2423
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 4
pp. AO01 – AO04

Abstract

Read online

Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is considered as very important ligament for knee joint to maintain the knee stability. But their recurrent injuries lead to study its structure, attachment and its function for reconstructive surgical procedures. Over the past decades, several studies have shown inconclusive evidence on gender predisposition to ACL injury. Aim: To determine if anterior cruciate ligament tear is common at tibial or femoral end, and to find out if there is any gender based difference in the incidence of ACL tear. Material and Methods: This retro-prospective cohort study was conducted in the Departments of Anatomy and Radio-Diagnosis from August 2012 – August 2016. The cases above 18 years who required Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of knee for ACL tear were selected for this study. A total of 100 patients were included in the study. The data was presented as frequencies and proportions, mean and standard deviations. Difference in distribution based on gender and anatomical site was tested using chi square test. Statistical significance (p-value) was considered at 0.05 levels. Results: Total of 86 males and 14 females were included, Average age of cases included in the study in male 34.99±10.4 and in female was 39.57±12.41 of the 100 cases. ACL injury at femoral end was significantly more compared at tibial end (Femoral end 59% vs. Tibial end 41%, p-value = 0.01). There was trend of male predilection towards femoral end detachment and female predilection towards tibial detachment and these observations were statistically significant (Femoral end: Male (62.8%Vs Female 35.7% p-value = 0.06) Tibial end: Male (37.2% vs. Female 64.3%, p-value=0.06). Conclusion: Our study shows the higher incidence of ACL tear or detachment at femoral than tibial end of the ligament. The anterior cruciate ligament tear need reconstructive surgical procedure to preserve the permanent function of the knee with long duration of remedial treatment.

Keywords