The value of secondary signs of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear was evaluated MR images of 47 knees, 15 with normal, 6 with acutely torn and 26 with chronically torn ACLs confirmed at arthroscopy, were reviewed. Lateral and medial anterior tibial translocations (ATT), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) bowing ratio and depth of lateral femoral notch (LFN) were measured. The degrees of lateral and medial ATTs and the PCL bowing ratio of the chronically torn ACLs were significantly higher than those of normal ACLs. With cutoff values of 5-mm lateral ATT, 2.5-mm medial ATT and 0.35-PCL bowing ratio, torn ligaments were distinguished from intact ligaments with accuracies of over 80%. Depth of LFN was less sensitive and less accurate. All knees with lateral ATT of 6.4 mm, medial ATT of 3.5 mm, PCL bowing ratio of 0.43 and LFN depth of 1.5 mm or more had torn ACLs. Higher correlations were revealed between lateral ATT and medial ATT, and also between lateral ATT and PCL bowing ratio. Combined criteria of lateral ATT and PCL bowing ratio indicated the highest diagnostic value as a reliable secondary sign of torn ACLs.