title: The relevant level to estimate girth difference between thighs after anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Manual thigh girth measurement is a simple tool to roughly estimate capacity change of the thigh. Yet, there is no good evidence supporting the most relevant anatomical landmarks to detect girth difference from the normal limb.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study consecutively enrolled 30 patients sustaining unilateral anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and measured both thigh girths in series at 2-cm intervals from anteromedial joint line until 30 cm cephalad. The measurements were also performed in intervals at 1/16 ratio of the thigh length marked between the tibial tuberosity (TT) and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). The results from both normal and the injured side were compared by analyzing means and standard deviations for the statistical difference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of significant mean girth difference between the two thighs were located at 18 cm and 20 cm above the anteromedial joint line or at 6/16 (3/8 or approximately 1/3) the thigh length measured from the TT towards the ASIS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with knee problems using deficient ACL as the prototype, the most relevant level to detect thigh girth difference from the normal side is located at 18 cm and 20 cm above the anteromedial knee joint line or at 6/16 (3/8 or approximately 1/3) the thigh length measured from the TT towards the ASIS.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Srinagarind Hospital Endoscopy Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. wiroon@kku.ac.th
authors: Wiroon
authors: W
authors: Laupattarakasem
authors: Permsak
authors: P
authors: Paholpak
authors: Weerachai
authors: W
authors: Kosuwon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000473:pathology*; D013848:Thigh / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult