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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-02-2021 | KNEE

ACL deficiency influences medio-lateral tibial alignment and knee varus–valgus during in vivo activities

Authors: Piero Agostinone, Stefano Di Paolo, Alberto Grassi, Erika Pinelli, Marco Bontempi, Laura Bragonzoni, Stefano Zaffagnini

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 2/2021

Abstract

Purpose

The role of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in knee biomechanics in vivo and under weight-bearing is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the tibiofemoral kinematics of ACL-deficient knees to healthy contralateral ones during the execution of weight-bearing activities.

Methods

Eight patients with isolated ACL injury and healthy contralateral knees were included in the study. Patients were asked to perform a single step forward and a single leg squat first with the injured knee and then with the contralateral one. Knee motion was determined using a validated model-based tracking process that matched subject-specific MRI bone models to dynamic biplane radiographic images, under the principles of Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA). Data processing was performed in a specific software developed in Matlab.

Results

Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for single leg squat along the frontal plane: ACL-deficient knees showed a more varus angle, especially at the highest knee flexion angles (40°–50° on average), compared to the contralateral knees. Furthermore, ACL-deficient knees showed tibial medialization along the entire task, while contralateral knees were always laterally aligned. This difference became statistically relevant (p < 0.05) for knee flexion angles included between 0° and about 30°.

Conclusion

ACL-deficient knees showed an abnormal tibial medialization and increased varus angle during single leg squat when compared to the contralateral knees. These biomechanical anomalies could cause a different force distribution on tibial plateau, explaining the higher risk of early osteoarthritis in ACL deficiency. The clinical relevance of this study is that also safe activities used in ACL rehabilitation protocols are significantly altered in ACL deficiency.

Level of evidence

III.

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Title: ACL deficiency influences medio-lateral tibial alignment and knee varus–valgus during in vivo activities
Authors: Piero Agostinone
Stefano Di Paolo
Alberto Grassi
Erika Pinelli
Marco Bontempi
Laura Bragonzoni
Stefano Zaffagnini
Publication date: 01-02-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-05979-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

ACL deficiency influences medio-lateral tibial alignment and knee varus–valgus during in vivo activities

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

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