Tibial rotation in anterior cruciate deficient knees: an in vitro study

The role of the anterior cruciate ligament in controlling tibial rotation was evaluated in four cadavera knee joints. Tibial rotation and anterior drawer tests were performed at multiple angles of knee flexion both before and after arthroscopic surgical section of the anterior cruciate ligament. Measurements were made using an instrumented electrogoniometer and force transducer system (GenucomTM). The results suggest that under clinically applied loads, rotation of the tibia is not constrained by the anterior cruciate ligament. The results also indicate an interpretation for anterior drawer tests when accompanied by an imposed tibial rotation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989;11(4):146-149.