Using Cine Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measuretibial Translation in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficient Knees

INTRODUCTION: It is well understood that disruption of the knee’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) increases joint laxity in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction. However, the extent to which abnormal tibiofemoral translation occurs during activity remains unclear. Since pathological joint motion has been postulated as a contributor to changes in articular cartilage which may lead to osteoarthritis, determination of tibiofemoral translation during activity in ACL deficient patients is clearly of interest. The objective of the current study is to determine whether differences in anterior-posterior joint translations are observed between the normal and uninjured knees of ACL deficient patients as they perform a closely controlled experimental task.