The interrelationship between anterior cruciate ligament tibial footprint and anterolateral meniscal root insertions: Quantitative, morphological and positional analyses using three-dimensional computed tomography images.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantitative, morphological and positional differences between the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial footprint and anterolateral meniscal root (ALMR) insertion and investigate an intraoperative landmark to estimate their boundaries.

METHODS

Thirty-three fixed human cadaveric knees were evaluated. After resecting the components, the anterior fiber (AF) and posterior fiber (PF) of ALMR, the tibial center of ACL bundles (anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles) and ACL were marked. Insertion morphology was classified into three categories, and the distance and relative positional relationship between AF/PF insertions and the center of each attachment were measured on three-dimensional computed tomography images.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the AF of AM and ACL (P = 0.16), but both were significantly shorter than the AF of PL (both P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the PF of ACL and PL (P = 0.99), which were significantly shorter than PF of AM (both P < 0.001). Morphology of the ACL tibial insertion was classified as follows: triangular, 15 knees (45.5%); oval, 18 knees (54.5%); none, C-shape. Quantitative and positional analyses showed that the AF insertion was significantly closer to AM and ACL centers in the oval type than in the triangular type. Excluding two cases, the AF/PF insertion was located laterally to the ML center of the medial and lateral intercondylar tubercles.

CONCLUSION

Proximity of ACL tibial footprint and ALMR varies by their footprint morphology. The medial and lateral intercondylar tubercles were useful landmarks for ALMR injury prevention.