Evaluation of the Relationship between Morphological Measurements of the Knee and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries along with Meniscus Injuries

Abstract Background: Ligamentum cruciatum anterius (LCA) and meniscus injuries are common pathologies, accounting for 40%–50% of all ligament-related knee injuries. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate anatomical measurements as potential risk factors for LCA and meniscus injuries by comparing MRI records of individuals with isolated LCA injuries, combined LCA and meniscus injuries, and a control group with normal knee findings. Materials and Methods: The study analyzed MRI records of 310 individuals: 200 diagnosed with LCA injury and 110 with normal knee findings. The participants were divided into two groups: isolated LCA injury and combined LCA and meniscus injury. Various anatomical measurements were compared between the study groups and the control group. Results: Significant differences were found in anatomical measurements. In both the isolated LCA injury and combined injury groups, condylus medialis width, condylus lateralis width, bicondylar width, eminentia intercondylaris width, tibia width, patellar length, ligamentum patellae length, patella facies articularis angle, and sulcus trochlearis angle were significantly higher. In contrast, fossa intercondylaris shape index, fossa intercondylaris index, tibial medial slope, sulcus trochlearis depth, trochlear facet asymmetry, sulcus trochlearis and tuberositas tibia distance, and patellar tilt were significantly lower in the injury groups. Conclusion: Specific anatomical measurements can serve as potential risk factors for LCA and meniscus injuries. These measurements could be incorporated into clinical practice for early identification of individuals at higher risk for these injuries.