Evaluating In Vivo Rotational Knee Kinematics in ACL Ruptured and Healthy Patients Using 3.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Introduction: It has long been established that the ACL plays a role in control of anterior-posterior (AP) kinematics of the knee. (1) Reconstructive techniques have been effective at controlling AP translations. (2) However, it has been shown the ACL also plays a role in control of axial rotations about the knee. (3) Abnormal tibial rotation following ACL injury may lead to early cartilage degeneration. (4) Unfortunately, current tools to quantify rotational knee kinematics are limited, as they rely upon indirect measures of joint motion. Magnetic resonance (MR) kinematics is a proven technique that provides a means to quantify in vivo kinematic of the soft tissue as well as the bony structures of the knee. (5) Combining advanced MR kinematic techniques with in-house developed rotational loading device, we have developed a novel way to quantify rotational knee stability. The objective of this study was to evaluate rotational stability of the knee in ACL deficient patients as well as a control cohort. Moreover we aimed to investigate differences in tibial rotation between genders.