Open AccessUltrasound‐based examination of the medial ligament complex shows gender‐ and age‐related differences in laxity
Author(s) -
Lutz Patricia M.,
Feucht Matthias J.,
Wechselberger Judith,
Rasper Michael,
Petersen Wolf,
Wörtler Klaus,
Imhoff Andreas B.,
Achtnich Andrea
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.806
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1433-7347
pISSN - 0942-2056
DOI - 10.1007/s00167-020-06293-x
Subject(s) - supine position , medicine , ultrasound , knee joint , joint (building) , orthodontics , ligament , body mass index , knee flexion , nuclear medicine , anatomy , surgery , radiology , architectural engineering , engineering
Purpose Ultrasound (US) examination of the medial joint space of the knee has played a subordinate diagnostic role up till now. The purpose of the present study was to describe mean values of medial joint width and to investigate the impact of gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) on medial joint laxity in healthy knees using modern, dynamic US in a standardized fashion in unloaded and standardized loaded conditions. Methods A total of 65 subjects with 79 healthy knees were enrolled in this study. All volunteers underwent clinical examination of the knee. The medial knee joint width was determined using US in a supine position at 0° and 30° of knee flexion in unloaded and standardized loaded (= 15 Dekanewton, daN) conditions using a specific device. Mean values were described and correlations between medial knee joint width and gender, age, and BMI were assessed. Results Thirty‐two females and 33 males were enrolled in this study. The mean medial joint width in 0° unloaded was 5.7 ± 1.2 mm and 7.4 ± 1.4 mm loaded. In 30° of knee flexion, the mean medial joint width was 6.1 ± 1.1 mm unloaded and 7.8 ± 1.2 mm loaded. The average change between unloaded and loaded conditions in 0° was 1.7 ± 1.0 mm and in 30° 1.7 ± 0.9 mm. A significant difference between genders was evident for medial joint width in 0° and 30° of flexion in unloaded and loaded conditions ( p < 0.05). With rising age, a significant increased change of medial joint space width between unloaded and loaded conditions could be demonstrated in 0° ( p = 0.032). No significant correlation between BMI and medial joint width in US could be found. Conclusion Mean values of medial joint width in unloaded and standardized loaded conditions using a fixation device could be demonstrated. Based on the results of this study, medial knee joint width in US is gender‐ and age‐related in healthy knees. These present data may be useful for evaluating patients with acute or chronic pathologies to the medial side of the knee. Level of evidence III.