Predictive Factors Associated with Anterolateral Ligament Injury in the Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear.

BACKGROUND: The earlier studies did not assess the associated factors of anterolateral ligament injury, comprehensively. We sought to evaluate the independent predictive factors of anterolateral ligament injury in the patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear. Ultrasound scan has an emerging role in the diagnosis of anterolateral ligament injury.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 198 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear in this study. All the patients underwent knee ultrasound scan to diagnose the anterolateral ligament injury. The potential predictive factors of anterolateral ligament injury were compared between the patients with anterolateral ligament injury and the patients with the intact anterolateral ligament.
RESULTS: In all the patients, the anterolateral ligament was seen in the tibial and femoral portions using the ultrasound scan. One hundred and ten patients (55.6%) had anterolateral ligament injury and the anterolateral ligament was intact in 88 patients (44.4%). The lateral collateral ligament injury was significantly associated with the anterolateral ligament injury (p < 0.001). In addition, the iliotibial band injury had a significant relationship with the anterolateral ligament injury (p = 0.001). An increased lateral tibial slope was significantly associated with the anterolateral ligament injury (p = 0.031). Furthermore, the bone contusion of the lateral femoral condyle had a significant relationship with the anterolateral ligament injury (p = 0.004).
CONCLUSION: The independent predictors of anterolateral ligament injury included the lateral collateral ligament injury, iliotibial band injury, bone contusion of the lateral femoral condyle, and an increased lateral tibial slope. © Indian Orthopaedics Association 2020.