TITLE:
Importance of Posterior Tibial Slope, Medial Tibial Plateau Slope and Lateral Tibial Plateau Slope in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
AUTHORS:
Bernat Mas Matas, Irene Carrión Barberà, Salvatore Marsico, Anna Agustí Claramunt, Raúl Torres-Claramunt, Albert Solano López
KEYWORDS:
ACL Tear, ACL Tear Risk Factors, Tibial Slope, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.11 No.9,
September
7,
2021
ABSTRACT: Increased posterior tibial slope (PTS), medial tibial plateau slope
(MTPS) and lateral tibial plateau slope (LTPS) have been proposed as potential
risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. However, prior
literature is inconclusive. The primary goal of the study was to investigate
the relationship of MTPS, LTPS and PTS with ACL tears. The secondary goal was
to determine whether injury mechanisms, age, gender, tobacco, obesity, extreme
PTS (>12°) or previous injuries are risk factors in
ACL tears. Three groups were identified: a study group of patients with ACL
injury; a second group diagnosed with meniscal injury; and a third group of
non-injured patients. Demographic data was collected. MTPS and LTPS were measured
in MRI and PTS in lateral radiographs by two blinded observers. Data was
analyzed using SPSS. 416 patients were included in the study. MTPS ranged from
0° to 14° (average value 5.66 ± 2.98), LTSA 0° to 16° (5.69 ± 3.5) and
PTS 0° to 17° (6.75 ± 3.18). Neither MTPS, LTPS nor PTS
revealed increased risk of ACL tears related with higher slopes, although high
MTPS showed a decreased risk. However, when
comparing traumatic groups, extreme PTS was associated with LCA tear, but no differences were found when comparing
non-traumatic groups. This could mean that the importance of
extreme angles in the LCA rupture may be restricted to traumatic mechanisms.
Previous ACL tear was identified as a risk factor to ACL tear; increased age
and a traumatic mechanism were associated with a lower risk.