Dimitris Dimitriou1, Diyang Zou2, Zhongzheng Wang2, Tsung-Yuan Tsai3, Naeder Helmy1. 1. Department of Orthopedics Bürgerspital Solothurn, Schöngrünstrasse 38, CH-4500, Solothurn, Switzerland. 2. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants and Clinical Translational R&D Center of 3D Printing Technology, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China. 3. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants and Clinical Translational R&D Center of 3D Printing Technology, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China. tytsai@sjtu.edu.cn.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aims of the present study were (1) to investigate the tibial footprint location of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in both ACL-ruptured and ACL-intact patients, (2) to identify the relationship of the tibial footprint to the anterior root of the lateral meniscus (ARLM) and medial tibial spine (MTS), and (3) to evaluate the reliability of the ARLM and MTS for identifying the center of the tibial ACL footprint. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images of 90 knees with ACL rupture and 90 matched-controlled knees were used to create three-dimensional models of the tibia. The tibial ACL footprint was outlined on each model, and its location was measured using an anatomical coordinate system. RESULTS: No significant difference in the location of the tibial footprint was found between ACL-ruptured and ACL-intact knees. The tibial ACL footprint was located in very close proximity to the ARLM, especially in the M/L direction. The safe zone of tibial tunnel reaming for avoiding damage to the ARLM was 2.6 mm lateral to the center of the native tibial footprint. Both the ARLM and MTS were reliable intraoperative landmarks for identifying the tibial footprint. CONCLUSIONS: Orthopedic surgeons should be aware of the safe zone of tibial tunnel reaming for avoiding injury to the ARLM. Both the ARLM and MTS might be reliable landmarks for identifying the center of the tibial ACL footprint and may facilitate tibial tunnel placement during anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction, especially in cases of revision where the tibial ACL stump is not available. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.
PURPOSE: The aims of the present study were (1) to investigate the tibial footprint location of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in both ACL-ruptured and ACL-intact patients, (2) to identify the relationship of the tibial footprint to the anterior root of the lateral meniscus (ARLM) and medial tibial spine (MTS), and (3) to evaluate the reliability of the ARLM and MTS for identifying the center of the tibial ACL footprint. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images of 90 knees with ACL rupture and 90 matched-controlled knees were used to create three-dimensional models of the tibia. The tibial ACL footprint was outlined on each model, and its location was measured using an anatomical coordinate system. RESULTS: No significant difference in the location of the tibial footprint was found between ACL-ruptured and ACL-intact knees. The tibial ACL footprint was located in very close proximity to the ARLM, especially in the M/L direction. The safe zone of tibial tunnel reaming for avoiding damage to the ARLM was 2.6 mm lateral to the center of the native tibial footprint. Both the ARLM and MTS were reliable intraoperative landmarks for identifying the tibial footprint. CONCLUSIONS: Orthopedic surgeons should be aware of the safe zone of tibial tunnel reaming for avoiding injury to the ARLM. Both the ARLM and MTS might be reliable landmarks for identifying the center of the tibial ACL footprint and may facilitate tibial tunnel placement during anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction, especially in cases of revision where the tibial ACL stump is not available. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.