Radiological sign of chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

An early radiological sign of anterior cruciate ligament deficiency is described. A retrospective study of the radiographs of 38 patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency was performed. In 36 patients from this group an osteophyte was present on the medial femoral condyle adjacent to the medial tibial spine. This was best seen on a 30 degree notch view and was the earliest radiographic sign of chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.