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Relationship of anterior knee laxity to knee translations during drop landings: a bi-plane fluoroscopy study

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Passive anterior knee laxity has been linked to non-contact ACL injury risk. High deceleration movements have been implicated in the non-contact ACL injury mechanism, and evidence suggests that greater anterior tibial translations (ATT) may occur in healthy knees that are lax compared to a tight knee. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between anterior knee laxity scores and ATT during drop landings using biplane fluoroscopy.

Methods

Sixteen healthy adults (10 women; 6 men) performed stiff drop landings (40 cm) while being filmed using a high-speed, biplane fluoroscopy system. Initial, peak and excursions for rotations and translations were calculated and regression analysis used to determine the 6DoF kinematic relationships with KT1000 scores with peak ATT occurring during the landing.

Results

KT1000 values were (+) correlated with peak ATT values for group (r = 0.89; P < 0.0001) and both genders (males, r = 0.97; P = 0.0003; females, r = 0.93; P = < 0.0001). Regression analysis yielded a significant linear fit for the group (r 2 = 0.80; Y ATT-group = − 0.516 + 1.2 × X KT1000-group) and for each gender (females: r2 = 0.86; Y ATT-females = 0.074 + 1.2 × X KT1000-females and males: r 2 = 0.94; Y ATT-males = − 0.79 + 1.2 × X KT1000-males).

Conclusion

A strong relationship was observed between passive anterior knee laxity measured via KT1000 and peak ATT experienced during dynamic activity in otherwise healthy persons performing a stiff drop-landing motion.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded in part by the Steadman Philippon Research Institute and a grant from the National Institutes of Health (AR39683 to PI: Savio L-Y. Woo). The Steadman Philippon Research Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit institution supported financially by private donations and corporate support from the following entities: Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Arthrex, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Saucony, OrthoRehab, Ossur Americas, Alignmed LLC and Opedix. Thank you to Medis Specials for providing the MBRSA software.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Kinesiology and Recreation, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA

    Michael R. Torry

  2. Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, CO, USA

    C. Myers, W. W. Pennington, J. P. Krong, J. E. Giphart & J. R. Steadman

  3. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, The University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA

    K. B. Shelburne

  4. Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Savio L-Y Woo

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  1. Michael R. Torry
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  2. C. Myers
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  4. K. B. Shelburne
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  8. Savio L-Y Woo
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Correspondence to Michael R. Torry.

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Torry, M.R., Myers, C., Pennington, W.W. et al. Relationship of anterior knee laxity to knee translations during drop landings: a bi-plane fluoroscopy study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 19, 653–662 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-010-1327-6

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