Radiographic Features of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament disruption is a common injury that occurs in contact sports such as football. The treating orthopedic surgeon may elect any of a variety of therapeutic options. Surgical management may consist of primary repair of the torn ligament or replacement of the torn ligament with graft material, known as anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACER). Many physicians, including radiologists, are unfamiliar with the surgical procedure or the expected postoperative radiographic appearance of ACER. Assessment of radiographs following ACER, as with many surgical procedures, requires understanding of the surgical procedure. We present our experience in assessing the postoperative radiographs of 24 patients who underwent ACER. We describe the expected postoperative radiographic appearance, based on the particular type of ACER performed, which allows the recognition of normal postoperative radiographic anatomy as well as sequelae or complications of the procedure

Torsional Abnormality: The Forgotten Issue in the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Anterior Knee Pain Patient

Currently, no one doubts that the vast majority of anterior knee pain (AKP) cases do not need surgery [...

The Female Knee: Anatomic Variations and the Female-specific Total Knee Design

The concept and need for a gender-specific or female-specific total knee prosthesis have generated interest and discussion in the orthopaedic community and the general public. This concept relies on the assumption of a need for such a design and the opinion that there are major anatomic differences between male and female knees. Most of the information regarding this subject has been disseminated through print and Internet advertisements, and through direct-to-patient television and magazine promotions. These sources and a recent article in a peer-reviewed journal, which support the need for a female-specific implant design, have proposed three gender-based anatomic differences: (1) an increased Q angle, (2) less prominence of the anterior medial and anterior lateral femoral condyles, and (3) reduced medial-lateral to anterior-posterior femoral condylar aspect ratio. We examined the peer-reviewed literature to determine whether women have had worse results than men after traditional TKAs. We found women have equal or better results than men. In addition, we reviewed the evidence presented to support these three anatomic differences. We conclude the first two proposed differences do not exist, and the third is so small that it likely has no clinical effect