scholarly journals Anterior tibial displacement on preoperative stress radiography of ACL-injured knee depending on knee flexion angle

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Ho Noh ◽  
Woo Dong Nam ◽  
Young Hak Roh

Abstract Purpose To compare side-to-side difference (SSD) of anterior tibial translation in instrumented stress radiography for each series of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured subjects according to knee flexion angle. Methods Forty subjects who were suspected of having significant ACL injury by manual Lachman test and MRI were recruited for this prospective study. These subjects took stress radiographs for both knees with corresponding knee flexion of 10° (series M1) and 30° (series M2) using Telos stress device. Mean SSDs of M1 and M2 were compared. Sensitivities of M1 and M2 were assessed using the SSD ≥ 3 mm or ≥ 5 mm as a cutoff value. Results Mean SSDs in series M1 and M2 were 4.22 ± 3.72 mm and 3.25 ± 3.30 mm, respectively (p < 0.001). When 3 mm of SSD was used as a cutoff value, sensitivities of series M1 and M2 were 47.5% (19/40) and 32.5% (13/40), respectively (p = 0.171). When 5 mm of SSD was used as a cutoff value, sensitivities of series M1 and M2 were 45.0% (18/40) and 22.5% (9/40), respectively (p = 0.033). Conclusions Anterior tibial translation on stress radiographs using a Telos device is more prominent when knee flexion angle is 10° compared to that when knee flexion angle is 30°. However, stress radiography using Telos device, either at 10° or 30° of knee flexion, might not be suitable to make decision on surgical treatment due to relatively low sensitivities.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 232596712198925
Author(s):  
Dong Jin Ryu ◽  
Kyeu Baek Kwon ◽  
Eui Yub Jung ◽  
Sung-Sahn Lee ◽  
Joo Hwan Kim ◽  
...  

Background: After posterior cruciate ligament injury, stress radiography is a common method of quantifying posterior instability, defined as the side-to-side difference in posterior tibial displacement (PTD) between the injured knee and contralateral noninjured knee. However, no study has evaluated the reliability of PTD according to knee flexion angle (KFA) measurements on stress radiographs. Purpose: To evaluate the test-retest reliability of stress radiographic measurements of the KFA in the noninjured knee. In addition, we established a reliable range of KFAs to indicate posterior instability by comparing results with the instability measured at 90° KFA, which is considered the gold standard. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We evaluated patients who had undergone bilateral stress radiographic examinations at least 5 times for ligament injuries between January 2013 and November 2019. All examinations were performed on a Telos device with a 150-N posterior load. A total of 120 knees and 644 stress radiographs were enrolled. We measured the KFA and PTD on stress radiographs and evaluated the reliability of repeated PTD measurement and the correlation between KFA and PTD. Results: The distribution of the actual noninjured knee KFA ranged from 56.9° to 106.7°. Among the 644 radiographs, 155 (24.1%) showed KFAs between 85° and 95°, and 287 (44.6%) showed KFAs between 80° and 85°. A significant correlation was found between KFA and PTD ( P < .001), and the intrapatient intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.788. A KFA range of 85° to 92° satisfied the criteria of high ICC (0.885) and nonsignificant correlation between KFA and PTD ( P = .055) and thus was considered a reliable range of KFAs for quantifying posterior instability. We found no significant risk factors for measurement error, including age ( P = .674), sex ( P = .328), height ( P = .957), weight ( P = .248), or body mass index ( P = .257). Conclusion: We found high reproducibility of posterior displacement measurements on Telos stress radiography at a KFA of 85° to 92° in noninjured knees.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Chien-Kuo Wang ◽  
Liang-Ching Lin ◽  
Yung-Nien Sun ◽  
Cheng-Shih Lai ◽  
Chia-Hui Chen ◽  
...  

We sought to design a computer-assisted system measuring the anterior tibial translation in stress radiography, evaluate its diagnostic performance for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, and assess factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy. Retrospective research for patients with both knee stress radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at our institution was performed. A complete ACL rupture was confirmed on an MRI. The anterior tibial translations with four different methods were measured in 249 patients by the designed algorithm. The diagnostic accuracy of each method in patients with all successful measurements was evaluated. Univariate logistic regression analysis for factors affecting diagnostic accuracy of method four was performed. In the inclusive 249 patients, 177 patients (129 with completely torn ACLs) were available for analysis. Mean anterior tibial translations were significantly increased in the patients with a completely torn ACL by all four methods, with diagnostic accuracies ranging from 66.7% to 75.1%. The diagnostic accuracy of method four was negatively associated with the time interval between stress radiography and MRI as well as force-joint distance on stress view, and not significantly associated with age, gender, flexion angle, intercondylar distance, and force-joint angle. A computer-assisted system measuring the anterior tibial translation in stress radiography showed acceptable diagnostic performance of complete ACL injury. A shorter time interval between stress radiography and MRI as well as shorter force-joint distance were associated with higher diagnostic accuracy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596712199806
Author(s):  
Michèle N.J. Keizer ◽  
Egbert Otten ◽  
Chantal M.I. Beijersbergen ◽  
Reinoud W. Brouwer ◽  
Juha M. Hijmans

Background: At 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), two-thirds of patients manage to return to sports (copers), whereas one-third of patients do not return to sports (noncopers). Copers and noncopers have different muscle activation patterns, and noncopers may not be able to control dynamic anterior tibial translation (ATTd) as well as copers. Purpose/Hypothesis: To investigate whether (1) there is a positive correlation between passive ATT (ATTp; ie, general joint laxity) and ATTd during jump landing, (2) whether ATTd is moderated by muscle activating patterns, and (3) whether there is a difference in moderating ATTd between copers and noncopers. We hypothesized that patients who have undergone ACLR compensate for ATTd by developing muscle strategies that are more effective in copers compared with noncopers. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 40 patients who underwent unilateral ACLR performed 10 single-leg hops for distance with both legs. Lower body kinematic and kinetic data were measured using a motion-capture system, and ATTd was determined with an embedded method. Muscle activity was measured using electromyographic signals. Bilateral ATTp was measured using a KT-1000 arthrometer. In addition, the Beighton score was obtained. Results: There was no significant correlation between ATTp and ATTd in copers; however, there was a positive correlation between ATTp and ATTd in the operated knee of noncopers. There was a positive correlation between the Beighton score and ATTp as well as between the Beighton score and ATTd in both copers and noncopers in the operated knee. Copers showed a negative correlation between ATTd and gastrocnemius activity in their operated leg during landing. Noncopers showed a positive correlation between ATTd and knee flexion moment in their operated knee during landing. Conclusion: Copers used increased gastrocnemius activity to reduce ATTd, whereas noncopers moderated ATTd by generating a smaller knee flexion moment. Clinical Relevance: This study showed that copers used different landing techniques than noncopers. Patients who returned to sports after ACLR had sufficient plantar flexor activation to limit ATTd.


2020 ◽  
pp. 036354652098007
Author(s):  
Elanna K. Arhos ◽  
Jacob J. Capin ◽  
Thomas S. Buchanan ◽  
Lynn Snyder-Mackler

Background: After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR), biomechanical asymmetries during gait are highly prevalent, persistent, and linked to posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis. Quadriceps strength is an important clinical measure associated with preoperative gait asymmetries and postoperative function and is a primary criterion for return-to-sport clearance. Evidence relating symmetry in quadriceps strength with gait biomechanics is limited to preoperative and early rehabilitation time points before return-to-sport training. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine the relationship between symmetry in isometric quadriceps strength and gait biomechanics after return-to-sport training in athletes after ACLR. We hypothesized that as quadriceps strength symmetry increases, athletes will demonstrate more symmetric knee joint biomechanics, including tibiofemoral joint loading during gait. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Of 79 athletes enrolled in the ACL-SPORTS Trial, 76 were participants in this study after completing postoperative rehabilitation and 10 return-to-sport training sessions (mean ± SD, 7.1 ± 2.0 months after ACLR). All participants completed biomechanical walking gait analysis and isometric quadriceps strength assessment using an electromechanical dynamometer. Quadriceps strength was calculated using a limb symmetry index (involved limb value / uninvolved limb value × 100). The biomechanical variables of interest included peak knee flexion angle, peak knee internal extension moment, sagittal plane knee excursion at weight acceptance and midstance, quadriceps muscle force at peak knee flexion angle, and peak medial compartment contact force. Spearman rank correlation (ρ) coefficients were used to determine the relationship between limb symmetry indexes in quadriceps strength and each biomechanical variable; alpha was set to .05. Results: Of the 76 participants, 27 (35%) demonstrated asymmetries in quadriceps strength, defined by quadriceps strength symmetry <90% (n = 23) or >110% (n = 4) (range, 56.9%-131.7%). For the biomechanical variables of interest, 67% demonstrated asymmetry in peak knee flexion angle; 68% and 83% in knee excursion during weight acceptance and midstance, respectively; 74% in internal peak knee extension moment; 57% in medial compartment contact force; and 74% in quadriceps muscle force. There were no significant correlations between quadriceps strength index and limb symmetry indexes for any biomechanical variable after return-to-sport training ( P > .129). Conclusion: Among those who completed return-to-sport training after ACLR, subsequent quadriceps strength symmetry was not correlated with the persistent asymmetries in gait biomechanics. After a threshold of quadriceps strength is reached, restoring strength alone may not ameliorate gait asymmetries, and current clinical interventions and return-to-sport training may not adequately target gait.


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