Imaging of Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Associated Bone Marrow Contusion Patterns

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are commonly associated with bone contusions. Bone contusions can lend important insight into increased risk for more subtle concurrent injuries based on common injury mechanisms and patterns, as higher energy trauma has been tied to patterns of specific bone contusions and concomitant injuries. Lateral compartment contusions are most common and occur in pivot shift injuries. Medial compartment contusions may represent a contrecoup mechanism after the initial lateral injuries. Patellotibial contusions require axial loading but are also typically seen in conjunction with lateral and medial compartment contusions. The differences in ACL injury mechanics and physiology as shown by imaging contusion patterns can help clinicians better identify and treat the concurrent associated injuries.

Using motion capture analysis for assessing locomotion after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

An anterior cruciate ligament tear is one of the most common injuries to the capsular ligament apparatus of the knee necessitating operative treatment. Postoperatively, patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries develop a pathologic gait pattern. Today, innovative diagnostic and rehabilitation methods for patients with gait disturbances associated with such injuries are in high demand. Below, we present a case of using 3D motion capture analysis for the personalized assessment of gait function in a patient with the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament two months after surgery. The analysis revealed that the patient had a slower, shorter, wider step with longer step intervals than the healthy subject; the flexion and extension amplitude in the large joints of the operated leg was smaller than in the healthy contralateral leg. Motion capture analysis can be used to assess the postoperative dynamics in patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears.