Anthropometric study as a predictor of anterior cruciate ligament sizes in Asian Indonesian population

To evaluate whether anthropometric data can predict anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sizes on magneti resonance imaging (MRI) in Asian population.

Reconstruction of ACL has been performed over a decade ago. Recently, more individualized ACL reconstruction is performed taking account of each patient's ACL characteristics. However, there has been limited study regarding ACL sizes in Asian Indonesian population. This study aimed to evaluate the role of anthropometric data in ACL sizes using MRI in Asian Indonesian population.

Retrospective Study.

A series of 531 knees from 420 patients with knee pain and intact ACL confirmed by MRI study. Length, width and inclination angle of ACL were measured using a T2-weighted sagittal MRI 3.0 Tesla Magnetom Skyra. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and age were recorded. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine relationship between the anthropometric data and size of ACL measurements.

ACL length and width were significantly different between male and female, consecutively. Mean ACL length was 35.36 ± 3.63 mm, male was significantly longer (36.59 ± 3.24 mm) compared to female (32.77 ± 2.99 mm), p < 0.0001. Mean ACL width was 10.23 ± 1.84 mm, male was significantly wider (10.85 ± 1.59 mm) compared to female (8.93 ± 1.64 mm), p < 0.0001. The mean ACL inclination angle was 47.75° ± 3.07° (range 40.17°-57.12°). The strongest correlation for ACL length was height and weight (r = 0.437; r = 0.341 consecutively, p < 0.0001). Females had stronger correlation compared to males for ACL length (R² = 0.489 vs R² = 0.418). ACL width showed weak correlation with anthropometric data. The following regression analysis equation was obtained for ACL length: ACL length = 60.697 - 0.11*age + 0.461*weight (kg) - 16.522*height (meter) - 1.093*BMI (R² = 0.539; p < 0.0001).

Anthropometric data can be utilized as a predictor of ACL length in Asian Indonesian population. The ACL length in Asian Indonesian population is shorter than that in Western population study.