Diagnosis of Partial ACL Rupture

Abstract

In proportion as more detailed understanding of ACL anatomy, more researches have focused on the diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic partial ACL tears. Partial ACL ruptures have been recognized for many years. In ACL reconstruction, preserving the remaining bundle of the ACL in cases of partial ACL injury may have several advantages. Controversy remains regarding the definition of a partial rupture among arthroscopic surgeons. However, recent several clinical reports have demonstrated different instrumented laxity and clinical testing results between arthroscopically confirmed complete and partial ACL tears. Knees with complete ACL tear have higher anterior tibial translation and also have greater laxity with the Lachman test and pivot-shift test results when compared with the knees with partial ACL tears. Although the diagnosis of a partial versus a complete ACL tear could be made with greater accuracy during arthroscopy, the decision as to whether the ACL remnant is preserved and ACL augmentation performed should be made after thorough consideration of clinical tests, laxity measurements, MRI, and arthroscopic findings.