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Intercondylar notch dysplasia in open-physis anterior cruciate ligament injuries: A case-control study

B Freychet1, W Lakhal1, M Daggett2

  • 1Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie de Tours, CHRU Clocheville, 9, boulevard Béranger, 37044 Tours, France.

Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Surgery & Research : OTSR
|February 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

A narrow intercondylar notch is a significant risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in children. This finding suggests routine screening for narrow notches during ACL reconstruction to prevent re-tears.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Pediatric Sports Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Rising incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in children.
  • Narrow intercondylar notch identified as a potential intrinsic risk factor in adults.
  • Limited investigation of intercondylar notch morphology in pediatric ACL tears.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between a narrow intercondylar notch and ACL tears in children.
  • To investigate intercondylar notch morphology as a risk factor for pediatric ACL injuries.

Main Methods:

  • Paediatric case-control study comparing 49 children with ACL tears and 50 controls.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to assess intercondylar notch morphology.
  • Measurement of notch width index (NWI) and the alpha (α) angle.

Main Results:

  • Significantly lower NWI in children with ACL tears compared to controls (0.244±0.02 vs. 0.263±0.02, P<0.05).
  • Significantly smaller α angle in children with ACL tears (138.74°±4.6° vs. 141.30°±7.9°, P<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • A narrow intercondylar notch (small NWI) is associated with ACL tears in children.
  • Narrow intercondylar notch is a confirmed risk factor for pediatric ACL tears.
  • Routine assessment of notch width is recommended during ACL reconstruction to consider notch-plasty and reduce re-tear risk.
Abstract

Keywords:
Anterior cruciate ligamentIntercondylar notchNotch width indexPaediatric patients

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