Correlation of tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove distance, anterolateral ligament injury, and the type of trochlear dysplasia with the grade of anterior cruciate ligaments tear

Abstract

BackgroundThe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most frequently injured ligament. The grade of ACL tear on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help determine the ACL injury treatment. Lateralization of the tibial tubercle is indicated by an increase in the distance of the tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG). Anterolateral ligament (ALL) injury affects a high degree of pivot shift in the knee joint with ACL deficiency. Trochlear dysplasia (TD) is a congenital morphological deformity of the femoral trochlea. An increase in the TT-TG distance, as well as the presence of ALL injuries and TD, can elevate the likelihood of experiencing ACL injuries. This study aims to analyze the correlation of TT-TG distance, ALL injury, and type of TD with the grade of ACL tear through MRI.MethodsThis analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to June 2022 at RSUP Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang. The ACL tear was divided into three degrees. The Schoettle or the Nizić method was used to measure the TT-TG distance. ALL injuries were evaluated by looking at the integrity of the ligament. TD assessment was according to the Dejour classification.ResultsA total of 50 subjects participated in the study. The TT-TG distance for grade I ACL tears was 5.90–14.6 mm (22%), 1.69–18.30 mm (44%) for grade II, and 1.01–14.10 mm (34%) for grade III. The ANOVA test showed no significant relationship between the TT-TG distance and the degree of ACL tear (p = 0.146). ALL injuries were found in six study subjects: One subject (16.7%) had grade I ACL tear, three subjects (50%) had grade II, and two subjects (33.3%) had grade III. The Chi-square test showed no significant correlation between ALL injuries and the degree of ACL tear (p = 0.930). Most subjects did not experience TD (78%), while 20% experienced TD type A and 2% experienced TD type B. In type A TD, 50% of ACL tears were grade I, 30% grade II, and 20% grade III. Among all subjects with TD type B, only one was found to have a grade III ACL tear. Based on the Chi-square test, there was no significant correlation between TD type and the degree of ACL tear (p = 0.110).ConclusionsThere is no significant correlation between the tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove distance, ALL injury, and type of trochlear dysplasia with the grade of ACL tear.