Excessive anterior tibial translation in the contralateral uninjured limb is significantly associated with ramp lesion in anterior cruciate ligament injury.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the excessive anterior tibial translation (ATT) and muscle strength of patients with ramp lesions. We hypothesised that the higher ATT, lower hamstring-to-quadriceps (HQ) ratio, and higher flexion peak torque influenced by semimembranosus would be associated with ramp lesions.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-one patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical evaluation included ATT of the contralateral uninjured limb measured using a KT-1000 arthrometer, the knee flexor and extensor muscle strength of the contralateral uninjured limb at 60°/s and 180°/s of an angular velocity measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, and HQ ratio at 60°/s and 180°/s during the preoperative state. Binary stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors of ramp lesions.

RESULTS

Ramp lesions were found in 27 cases of ACL injuries (27/121, 22.3%). Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.913; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.090-7.787; P = 0.033), longer time between injury to surgery (OR, 2.225; 95% CI, 1.074-4.608; P = 0.031), and higher ATT in the contralateral uninjured limb (OR, 1.502; 95% CI, 1.046-2.159; P = 0.028) were indicated as the independent risk factors of the presence of ramp lesion associated with an ACL injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Male sex, longer period from injury to surgery, and higher ATT in the contralateral uninjured limb were significantly associated with ramp lesion. These findings are advantageous for identifying patients with a greater risk of developing a ramp lesion with an ACL injury in the clinical setting.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.