UTILIZING ANTERIOR TIBIAL TRANSLATION SIGN ON MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PARTIAL AND COMPLETE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TEARS

Abstract

Introduction: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a critical structure within the knee joint, playing a pivotal role in maintaining stability during various dynamic movements, including cutting, pivoting, and jumping. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of pre-operative static ATT in knees with ACL injury. Material and Methods: This study constituted a retrospective descriptive research endeavour encompassing patients who underwent both MRI and knee arthroscopy at Jaipur National University, Institute for Medical Science and Research Centre from October 2023 to March 2024. Clinical data gleaned from in-patient records from the Department of Orthopaedics included demographic particulars such as age, sex, height, weight, and occupation. Patients were dichotomized into two subgroups predicated on arthroscopic ndings: partial ACL tear or complete ACL tear. Subsequently, patient diagnostic images were reviewed, and anterior tibial translation distances were meticulously measured. The means of anterior tibial translation distances in each subgroup were then computed, and the unpaired t-test for the mean difference of each subgroup was executed. Furthermore, a comparative analysis was conducted between the cut-off value derived in this investigation and those reported in antecedent studies. MRI protocols entailed knee protocol scans with the 1.5-Tesla Siemens Sempra, encompassing sagittal, coronal, and axial planes with distinct pulse sequences. Anterior tibial translation distance was meticulously dened as the distance between the most posterior cortex of the tibia and femur, acquired at the midsagittal plane of the lateral femoral condyle. The measurement was conducted relative to a plane parallel to the long axis of the image. Results: The results suggest that the test demonstrates outstanding sensitivity, specicity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, all reaching 100% (with condence intervals ranging from 84.56% to 100% for sensitivity and positive predictive value, and from 75.29% to 100% for specicity and negative predictive value). Conclusion: Employing a 7mm threshold on the anterior tibial translation sign for the diagnosis of complete ACL tears represents a valuable clinical tool with signicant implications for patient management.