J Knee Surg 2016; 29(06): 471-477
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1564732
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Tibial Tuberosity—Posterior Cruciate Ligament Distance

Jake Daynes
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, OrthoIndy Hospital, Greenwood, Indiana
,
Betina Bremer Hinckel
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Jack Farr
3   Cartilage Restoration Center of Indiana, OrthoIndy Hospital, Greenwood, Indiana
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

10 July 2015

26 August 2015

Publication Date:
28 October 2015 (online)

Abstract

When trochlear dysplasia is present, it is difficult to measure the tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance. A new measurement to assess tuberosity position was recently described by Seitlinger et al, which avoids the difficulty of identifying the TG as it references the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). To evaluate the reproducibility of the Seitlinger et al findings, 42 knees in 41 patients with a documented history of recurrent patellar instability and 84 knees in patients with no history of patellar instability or patellofemoral symptoms were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. The TT–PCL distance was increased in the instability group (mean, 21.6 mm) compared with the control group (mean, 19.0 mm). The TT–PCL distance is an independent risk factor for patients with recurrent patellar instability. Its role in surgical planning remains to be determined.

 
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