The Risk Factor Analysis of Femorotibial Joint Morphometrics Associated with Severity of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Using MRI Examination: Study in Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a condition that has been linked to both short-term and long-term clinical outcomes and has an anatomical risk factor known as femorotibial joint morphometrics. There are three grades of this condition, which are sometimes difficult to detect through imaging. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the prevalent ratio (PR) of femorotibial joint morphometrics to ACL tear grades using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: An observational approach along with a cross-sectional design was employed. The ACL tear grade and measurement of bi-intercondylar width (BCW), North width (NW), NW index (NWI), tibial plateau slope (TPS), tibial plateau depth (TPD), tibial eminence width (EW), and tibial EW index (EWI) were retrospectively evaluated in 48 patients using knee MRI with new non-contact ACL tear aged above 18 years. The Chi-square test was the statistical analysis used to measure PR. RESULTS: The number of subjects presented with ACL tear grade I-II and III was 16 and 32, respectively. The PR value of lateral TPS to ACL tear grades and the lowest 95% confidence interval (CI) were both greater than one, and hence, significant. However, the PR values of BCW, NW, NWI, and medial TPS to ACL tear grades were greater than one, but the lowest 95% CI was less than one, and hence, not significant. Finally, the PR values of TPD, EW, and EWI could not be determined in this study. CONCLUSION: The lateral TPS had a PR value greater than one, indicating that it is considered a risk factor for ACL tear grade III.