Can height and weight of the patient predict the tibial footprint dimensions of anterior cruciate ligament on MRI: an observational study

Authors

  • Bangalore Venkataswamy Panduranga Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Mahendranath Department of Orthopaedics, Yadagiri Institute of Medical Sciences Yadagiri, Karnataka, India
  • Ningaraj Dyapur Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Shashank Janardhan Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Rati Ranjan Kumar Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Prabhu Vignesh M. Ganesan Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20252650

Abstract

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction techniques are increasingly individualized based on patient-specific anatomy. Preoperative knowledge of ACL dimensions guides surgical planning, particularly regarding single versus double-bundle reconstruction. This study aimed to evaluate ACL tibial footprint dimensions in a South Indian population and investigate their correlation with patient anthropometric measures.

Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed MRI scans of 78 patients (41 males, 37 females) with intact ACL who presented with knee pain at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India between January 2023 and April 2025. ACL tibial footprint length and width were measured on MRI. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to investigate relationships between ACL dimensions and patient height, weight, age and gender.

Results: The mean ACL tibial footprint length and width were 13.7±1.8 mm and 11.5±1.4 mm, respectively. Height demonstrated a strong positive correlation with ACL length (r=0.68, p<0.001) and a moderate correlation with ACL width (r=0.52, p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, height remained the strongest independent predictor of ACL length (standardized β=0.53, p<0.001), while weight (β=0.04, p=0.687) and age (β=0.03, p=0.749) showed no significant independent association. For every 1 cm increase in height, ACL length increased by 0.182 mm (95% CI: 0.140-0.224). Gender differences in ACL dimensions were significant but partially attributable to height differences. Overall, 60.3% of participants had ACL length <14 mm, with a significantly higher proportion among females (83.8%) compared to males (39.0%).

Conclusions: Height is a strong predictor of ACL tibial footprint dimensions in South Indian patients, explaining 46% of the variability in ACL footprint length. Patient height could serve as a simple clinical predictor of ACL footprint dimensions when advanced imaging is not readily available, potentially guiding surgical decision-making regarding reconstruction technique.

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Author Biographies

Bangalore Venkataswamy Panduranga, Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Dr.Panduranga B V

Professor and HOD

Department of Orthopaedics

Sapthagiri Institute Of Medical Sciences and Research Centre Bangalore

Pin Code- 560090

Mahendranath, Department of Orthopaedics, Yadagiri Institute of Medical Sciences Yadagiri, Karnataka, India

Dr.Mahendranath S P

Assistant Professor

department Orthopaedics

Yadgiri Institute Of Medical Sciences Yadgiri, Karnataka, India

Pin Code- 585202

Shashank Janardhan, Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Dr.Shashank J

Resident

department Of Orthopaedics

Sapthagiri Institute of medical sciences Banglore

 

Rati Ranjan Kumar, Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Dr.Rati Ranjan Kumar

Junior Resident 

Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore

Prabhu Vignesh M. Ganesan, Department of Orthopaedics, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Dr.Prabhu Vignesh M Ganesan

Junior Resident

Department Orthpopaedics

Sapthagiri Institute Of medical Sciences Banglore

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Published

2025-08-25

How to Cite

Panduranga, B. V., Mahendranath, Dyapur, N., Janardhan, S., Kumar, R. R., & Ganesan, P. V. M. (2025). Can height and weight of the patient predict the tibial footprint dimensions of anterior cruciate ligament on MRI: an observational study. International Journal of Research in Orthopaedics, 11(5), 1184–1190. https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20252650

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Original Research Articles