Instrument-based anterolateral rotatory laxity assessment of the knee has a high intra-observer and inter-observer reliability: a systematic review.

IMPORTANCE

A reliable evaluation of anterolateral rotatory instability in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knee is important to help surgeons determine which patients might need concurrent anterolateral augmentation procedures.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to systematically review studies that assess the intra-observer and inter-observer reliability of instruments used to measure anterolateral rotatory laxity of the knee.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

A comprehensive literature review was conducted according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases for original, English-language studies evaluating the reliability of objective or instrument-based anterolateral rotatory laxity of the knee until October 31, 2022. Reliability data were extracted from text, tables, and figures.

FINDINGS

Twelve studies, with patients between the ages of 14-63 years, were included. The instruments used to measure anterolateral rotatory knee laxity included inertial sensors (n ​= ​9), magnetic resonance imaging (n ​= ​1), and navigation systems (n ​= ​2). The global intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficient for these devices was between 0.63 and 0.97, and the global inter-observer reliability was between 0.63 and 0.99.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Instrument-based anterolateral rotatory knee laxity assessment has moderate to good intra- and inter-observer reliability. Evaluating anterolateral instability in ACL-deficient knees with these devices could help in decision-making when considering anterolateral augmentation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.