Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2025
Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications
Published on: April 30, 2014
Lateral Femoral Notch Sign Presence, Location, and Depth Are Not Associated With Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Anna M Ifarraguerri1, Michael S Collins2, Ainsley K Bloomer3
1OrthoCarolina - Sports Medicine Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A.; OrthoCarolina Research Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A.; Atrium Health - Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A.
Purpose:
To assess the relationship between the presence, depth, and location of the lateral femoral notch sign (LFNS) on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the risk of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) graft failure, as well as secondary return to sport (RTS) endpoints.
Methods:
Patients with primary ACLR failure between 2012 and 2021 were identified and matched to patients without primary ACLR failure by sex, age, and body mass index. Patients with incomplete medical records, inadequate follow-up, or concomitant lateral extra-articular tenodesis or anterolateral ligament reconstruction were excluded. The presence, depth, and location of the LFNS were recorded from patients' preoperative MRI. Intraoperative data, concomitant injuries, ACLR failure, and RTS were collected.
Results:
Of the 253 included patients, 158 (62.5%) were male, the mean age was 22 ± 9.1 years old, and the mean body mass index was 25.7 ± 5.7. 87(34.4%) had a LFNS on preoperative MRI. There was no difference in the prevalence of the LFNS between patients with primary ACLR failure (42 [32.1%]) and without primary ACLR failure (45 [36.9%]) (odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 0.74-2.08; P = .42). Among patients with the LFNS, there was no difference in mean depth between those with and without primary ACLR failure, or when stratifying depth by 1.0-1.5 mm, 1.5-2.0 mm, and >2.0 mm. The mean location of the LFNS from Blumensaat line did not differ between patients with or without primary ACLR failure, and RTS rate, level, and time were comparable between patients with and without the LFNS.
Conclusions:
There was no significant difference in the presence, depth or location of the LFNS in patients with and without primary ACLR failure. Presence of the LFNS is not associated with additional risk of primary ACLR failure, and clinical outcomes were comparable in patients with and without the LFNS.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV, retrospective case-control study.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:16Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
01:23Knee Joint
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris...