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Anterior cruciate ligament assessment using arthrometry and stress imaging

  • ACL Update: Objective Measures on Knee Instability (V Musahl, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Arthrometry and stress imaging are useful clinical tools for the objective assessment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) integrity. They are most frequently used for the diagnosis of a complete ACL tear when other workup is equivocal, in conjunction with history and clinical exam findings. Other applications include the diagnosis of partial ACL tears, injury prognosis, and post-operative monitoring. However, further studies are needed to validate these uses. Many different devices and techniques exist for objective examination, which have been compared in recent literature. Reliability and validity measures of these methods vary, and often depend upon examiner familiarity and skill. The KT series of devices is the current gold standard for arthrometry, although the newer robotic GNRB device shows promising early results. Newer methods of data interpretation have been developed for stress imaging, and portable technology may impact this field further.

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  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Ave. S, Suite R200, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA

    Eric M. Rohman & Jeffrey A. Macalena

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Jeffrey A. Macalena has served as a consultant for Vericel, Smith and Nephew, and Arthrex within the past 36 months, outside of the submitted work.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on ACL Update: Objective Measures on Knee Instability

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Rohman, E.M., Macalena, J.A. Anterior cruciate ligament assessment using arthrometry and stress imaging. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 9, 130–138 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-016-9331-1

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