Femoral tunnel length in anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction is correlated with height, weight, and knee bony morphology.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to reveal the correlation between femoral tunnel length in anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and body size and/or knee morphology.

METHODS

Thirty-one subjects undergoing anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction were included in this study (20 female, 11 male; median age 46, 15-63). Pre-operative height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) were measured. In pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging, the thickness of the quadriceps tendon and the whole anterior-posterior (AP) length of the knee were measured using the sagittal slice. Using post-operative three-dimensional computed tomography, accurate axial and lateral views of the femoral condyle were evaluated. The correlation of femoral tunnel length, which was measured intra-operatively, with the height, weight, BMI, quadriceps tendon thickness, AP length of the knee, trans-epicondylar length, the notch area (axial), length of Blumensaat's line, and the height and area of the lateral wall of the femoral intercondylar notch were statistically analyzed. Tunnel placement was also evaluated using a Quadrant method.

RESULTS

The average femoral tunnel length was 35.6 ± 4.4 mm. The average height, body weight, and BMI were 162.7 ± 7.2 cm, 61.9 ± 10 kg, and 23.4 ± 3.5, respectively. Femoral tunnel length was significantly correlated with height, body weight and the height and area of lateral wall of the femoral intercondylar notch, and the length of the Blumensaat's line.

CONCLUSION

For clinical relevance, the risk of creating a femoral tunnel of insufficient length in anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction exists in subjects with small body size. Surgeons should pay careful attention to prevent this from occurring.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case-controlled study, Level III.