2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (13): 2071-2075

Correlation of anterior cruciate ligament injury with patella alta and femoral trochlear dysplasia in adults evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging

Zeng Weipeng, Lin Jianping, Zhou Gang, Mao Hanru   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament injury is a common sports injury in young people. Anatomical factors of the knee joint may be related to its injury, but few scholars have used MRI to evaluate the relationship of anterior cruciate ligament injury with patella alta and femoral trochlear dysplasia.  
OBJECTIVE: To explore whether there is a correlation of anterior cruciate ligament injury with patella alta and femoral trochlear dysplasia in adults.
METHODS: From August 2017 to August 2021, 90 adult patients (case group) with complete anterior cruciate ligament tear were retrospectively analyzed. According to age and gender, 91 patients with knee pain were matched as the control group. The length of the patellar tendon and patella was measured and the Insall-Salvati index was calculated according to the MRI image of the knee. According to Dejour classification, the femoral trochlear dysplasia was classified into types A, B, C or D.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There was no significant difference in patellar length between the two groups (P > 0.05), but there was statistically significant difference in the length of patellar tendon and Insall-Salvati index (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, patients in the case group had a longer length of patellar tendon (P < 0.05) and higher Insall-Salvati index (P < 0.05). (3) The rate of femoral trochlear dysplasia in the case group (14%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (4%, P < 0.05). (4) Among the 13 patients with trochlear dysplasia in the case group, 9 were type A, 2 were type B, 1 was type C, and 1 was type D. (5) It is concluded that compared with healthy people, patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury have longer length of patellar tendon, higher Insall-Salvati index and higher rate of trochlear dysplasia. Therefore, in clinical practice, doctors should pay attention to these variants that may be risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament tears, and remind people with patella alta and trochlear dysplasia that they are more likely to damage the anterior cruciate ligament during exercise.
Key words: anterior cruciate ligament, anterior cruciate ligament tear, patella alta, trochlear dysplasia, magnetic resonance imaging