Lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament and sagittal disalignment of the knee in weight-bearing.
Twenty-nine patients with late reconstructive surgery for anterior cruciate ligament lesions had a clinical and radiologic follow-up ten years after injury. Anterior sagittal displacement of the tibia was recorded on the routine standing radiographs in 16 knees all having a normal femoro-tibial alignment in the non-weight-bearing position. Five of eleven patients with sagittal displacement of between 10 and 19 mm had early osteoarthrosis, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging in four cases; their ages ranged from 23 to 38 years. No radiographic signs of osteoarthrosis were observed in those with displacements of less than 10 mm. In some patients there was a discrepancy between the clinical and radiographic measurements of instability. In addition to the clinical tests of instability standing rather than non-weight-bearing lateral radiographs are suggested for the routine assessment of cruciate ligament injuries.
Egund
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Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Fridén
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T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography