A Novel Predictor of the Length and Size of ACL Grafts in Chinese Han Adults for ACL Reconstruction: An MRI Study

OBJECTIVE

Currently, there is no simple and valid method to predict the length and size of the native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in each adult patient who will undergo ACL reconstruction. This study aimed to develop an imaging prediction method that can predict the length and size of ACL grafts using the intact posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), in order to enhance the graft preparation individualized sizing.

METHODS

Three hundred and nineteen patients aged 18 years or older who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee at an orthopaedic clinic between September 9, 2021, and February 5, 2023, were included. The length, sagittal diameter, and coronal diameter of the ACL and PCL were measured in all patients, and F-test were performed to explore linear relationship between ligament measurements.

RESULTS

Equations were established to predict a variable of the native ACL for the corresponding variable of the intact PCL (i.e., sagittal diameter of the ACL = 4.32 + 1.08 × sagittal diameter of the PCL, and coronal diameter of the ACL = 2.45 + 0.59 × coronal diameter of the PCL, length of the male ACL = 10.92 + 0.64 × length of the male PCL, length of the female ACL = 11.76 + 0.58 × length of the female PCL) (R2  = 0.532; R2  = 0.417; R2  = 0.488; R2  = 0.509; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The length and size of the intact PCL in cases without PCL buckling are predictors of the length and size of the native ACL in adults, respectively. The use of this information to optimize graft diameter may lower the rates of ACL graft failure in the future.