title: Multiscale analysis of anterior cruciate ruptures: Prospective study of 49 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are common. The ability to distinguish between various types of ACL ruptures preoperatively would allow surgeons to choose the most appropriate surgical treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A partial ACL rupture can be diagnosed preoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  The goal of this single-center, prospective study was to establish correlations between various macroscopic types of ACL ruptures determined by arthroscopy with data from clinical examination, knee laxity measurements (GnRB(®)) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The 49 patients included over a six-month period had a diagnosis of ACL rupture based on the clinical examination. Four arthroscopy categories were defined based on the French Arthroscopy Society (SFA) classification. Each patient had their knee laxity measured, a preoperative MRI performed and a clinical exam done in the operating room before the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During arthroscopy, the ACL was described as "Complete tear" in 23 of 49 patients, "Healed onto PCL" in 12, "Posterolateral bundle preserved" in 14 and "Healed into notch" in none of the patients. The clinical exam alone could not discriminate between the various types of ruptures (P>0.05). With MRI, the sensitivity was 84% and the specificity was 92% for partial ACL rupture. There was a strong correlation between MRI and the various arthroscopy groups (P<0.05). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between partial and complete ruptures in terms of knee laxity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study helped define the relationships between arthroscopy findings, MRI findings and knee laxity measurements. It is feasible to make a preoperative diagnosis of partial ACL rupture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, prospective cohort study.
authors: Service d'Orthopédie Traumatologie, CHU Saint-Étienne, avenue Albert-Raimond, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France. Electronic address: alex.diiorio@gmail.com.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Di Iorio
authors: Service d'Orthopédie Traumatologie, CHU Saint-Étienne, avenue Albert-Raimond, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Carnesecchi
authors: Service d'Orthopédie Traumatologie, CHU Saint-Étienne, avenue Albert-Raimond, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Philippot
authors: Service d'Orthopédie Traumatologie, CHU Saint-Étienne, avenue Albert-Raimond, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Farizon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012421:Rupture; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Arthroscopy; Knee laxity measurement; Partial tear