Femoral intercondylar notch width size: a comparison between siblings with and without anterior cruciate ligament injuries

Susan L Keays; R Keays; P A Newcombe

doi:10.1007/s00167-014-3491-6

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Femoral intercondylar notch width size: a comparison between siblings with and without anterior cruciate ligament injuries

Journal article

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Femoral intercondylar notch width size: a comparison between siblings with and without anterior cruciate ligament injuries

Susan L Keays, R Keays and P A Newcombe

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, Vol.24(3), pp.672-679

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3491-6

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Abstract

anterior cruciate ligament

notch width index

sibling

family predisposition

notch shape

Purpose Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in siblings are commonly observed in the clinic. One, possibly genetic, factor contributing to the pathogenesis of sibling injuries may be narrow intercondylar notches, which are well recognized as predisposing to ACL injury. This study aimed primarily to: (1) assess the incidence of ACL injuries in siblings within an existing study cohort, (2) compare intercondylar notch width size in injured compared to matched uninjured control siblings and (3) compare the number of injured versus control sibling pairs sharing a narrow notch. Methods Twenty-four ACL-injured siblings from 10 families were matched for age, gender, family composition and sports activity, with 24 uninjured siblings from another 10 families. Intercondylar radiographs were taken to calculate anterior and posterior notch width indices (NWI). Notch size and the number of narrow notches in sibling pairs were compared between groups. Results Thirteen of 72 ACL-study participants had siblings with torn ACLs. Mean anterior NWI was 0.18 and 0.24 (p < 0.001), and mean posterior NWI was 0.26 and 0.3 (p = 0.006) for injured and uninjured siblings, respectively. Sixty percent of injured sibling pairs shared a narrow notch, while no uninjured sibling pairs did so (p = 0.003). Conclusion This study showed that siblings (and often sibling pairs) with injuries do have significantly narrower notches than those without. This could partly explain the prevalence of ACL injuries in siblings. To reduce ACL-injury rates, we advise that siblings of ACL-injured athletes with narrow notches, be radiologically screened, and if necessary, cautioned and counselled regarding preventative training. Level of evidence Case-control study, Level III.

Details

Title: Femoral intercondylar notch width size: a comparison between siblings with and without anterior cruciate ligament injuries
Authors: Susan L Keays (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
R Keays (Author) - QE II Hospital, Australia
P A Newcombe (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, Vol.24(3), pp.672-679
Publisher: Springer
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1007/s00167-014-3491-6
ISSN: 0942-2056
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449066502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Orthopedics; Sport Sciences; Surgery