New insights in anterior cruciate ligament morphology: implications for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgeries. 2020

Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

The frequency of injury of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the importance of anatomy in surgical repair and potential of the injured ACL to predispose to osteoarthritis necessitates the need for understanding its precise anatomy. Available studies have focussed on tunnel positioning and hence attachment site of the ligament. Few studies which have focussed on morphology reflect ambiguities in size, fibre bundle, number and disposition. Since a near anatomical repair of the ACL is the treatment of choice, the present study was planned to describe the morphology of ACL. Twenty-two ACL (11 right and 11 left) isolated from knee joints of collection of adult embalmed lower limbs were utilised for the study. The ACL morphology and morphometry were studied for footprints and fibre bundles. Three distinct bundles of differing lengths constitute a spiral ACL complex. These bundles are positioned as- intermediate with posteromedial and anterolateral flanking in respective positions. The tibial and femoral footprints are paw-shaped and oval respectively. Tibial footprints are approximately 2.5 times larger in area than the femoral footprints. The unique morphology of ACL vis a vis its spiralization, and its mechanical advantage of in terminal extension and conjunct rotation of knee (which are peculiarly human trait) are discussed. It is recommended to utilize the concept of spiralization and differing bundle length in ACL surgeries to achieve the favourable clinical outcome.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
June 2021, The Knee,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
December 2007, Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
September 2022, Journal of sport rehabilitation,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
October 2020, Arthroscopy techniques,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
August 2001, AORN journal,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
December 2018, Sports medicine and arthroscopy review,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
March 1998, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
September 2019, Wideochirurgia i inne techniki maloinwazyjne = Videosurgery and other miniinvasive techniques,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
September 2012, Arthroscopy techniques,
Rekha Lalwani, and Rohit Srivastava, and Sheetal Kotgirwar, and Sunita A Athavale
April 2007, Strategies in trauma and limb reconstruction,
Copied contents to your clipboard!