Morphometric analysis of the anterior cruciate ligament: South Indian cadaveric study

Abstract

Background: The most often damaged ligament in the knee joint is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Reconstruction surgery is the ideal option which requires morphometric understanding of ACL. The aim of the present study is to determine the length and width of ACL in the knee joint in the South Indian population. Methodology: The study was conducted from August 2020 to July 2021 during a 1-year period. We selected participants with no evident macroscopic abnormalities of the knee joints, between the ages of 27 years and 55 years of both genders. For the study, 50 knee joints from 29 cadavers that fulfilled the above requirements were dissected and the ACL was measured for its length and width in the center point in between bony attachments with digital vernier caliper. Results: The mean length of the ACL was found to be 29.73 mm with standard deviation of 2.32, and the mean width of the ACL was found to be 11.15 mm with standard deviation of 1.07. Conclusion: The present study will add to the existing knowledge on the morphometry of the ACL. This study would be helpful in selecting grafts for surgical reconstruction of the ACL.