Tibial Footprint for Single Anatomical Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction by the Meniscal Reference Point: The Cadaveric Study
Nitis Reeboonlap MD*, Nattha Kulkamthorn MD*, Korakot Charakorn MD*, Auttaphon Arkasihayuth MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : ACL reconstruction is the gold standard for the torn ACL. To perform the anatomic reconstruction, knowledge of
the footprint location is important. The femoral footprint was described in many studies, but the tibial footprint has less
information. The authors study the relationship of ACL tibial footprint by using the meniscuses as landmark.
Material and Method: 20 knee specimens from the anatomy department were obtained and dissected. The footprint area was
determined by locating the tibial stump of ACL first, isolated it from another structures, the footprint size was measured and
then the mid portion of the footprint was identified. The relationship between the meniscuses to the mid portion of the ACL tibial
footprint was determined.
Results : The authors have found that the mid portion of the ACL tibial footprint in all of specimens was located anterior to the
posterior border of anterior horn of lateral meniscus, with the average of 3.2 + 0.25 millimeters.
Conclusion : The meniscuses can be used as landmark to locate the footprint of the tibial part of the ACL. The mid portion of
the ACL tibial footprint is anterior to the posterior border of anterior horn of lateral meniscus. This information will help the
surgeons to locate the footprint with more accuracy while performing the anatomic ACL reconstruction.
Keywords : ACL, Tibial footprint, Single bundle, Anatomy
