Background
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury continues to be the largest single problem in orthopaedic sports medicine. MRI has become the prime diagnostic tool for various pathological and anatomical variability conditions of the knee.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to test the integrity of the new combined method for the assessment of tibial plateau anatomic variables using conventional MRI.
Settings and design
This was a retrospective control study.
Patients and methods
Medial tibial plateau slope (MTPS), lateral tibial plateau slope (LTPS) and medial tibial plateau depth (MTPD) were evaluated in the ACL-injured group of patients ( = 52) and the non-ACL-injured control group ( = 33) using MRI scan. Inclusion criteria for the ACL-injured group, as surgically confirmed, were isolated ACL injury. However, inclusion criteria for the non-ACL-injured group were minor trauma, bruises, etc.
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's -test and intraclass correlation coefficient. A value less than 0.05 was assigned as significant.
Results
Both male and female patients in the ACL-injured group showed increased LTPS in comparison with the control group ( = 0.0197), with no significant difference in MTPS and MTPD ( = 0.73 and 0.8, respectively). Steeper LTPS was detected in the male population of the patient group than in the control group ( = 0.0001). Male participants from the control group had less steep MTPS ( = 0.002) and LTPS ( = 0.034) and deeper MTPD ( = 0.004) compared with female participants of the control group.
Conclusion
We conclude that the combined method by Khan and colleagues using conventional MRI for the measurement of MTPS, LTPS and MTPD as risk factors for ACL injury is solid and reproducible.
Level of evidence
Diagnostic study level III.