FEMORAL INTERCONDYLAR NOTCH STENOSIS AND CORRELATION TO ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURIES - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

To evaluate the possible relationship between femoral intercondylar no tch stenosis and anterior cruciate ligament injuries in pivoting and c utting sports, a 2-year prospective study was performed on intercolleg iate athletes at a Division I university. Daily practice times and ath lete participation in practices and games were recorded for each sport during the 2-year period. Bilateral intercondylar notch view radiogra phs were taken of all athletes enrolled in the study. The notch width index, a ratio that measures the width of the anterior outlet of the i ntercondylar notch divided by the total condylar width at the level of the popliteal groove, was measured for each knee. A total of 213 athl etes, representing 415 anterior cruciate ligament-intact knees, were e nrolled in the study. There were 7 anterior cruciate ligament tears. S tatistical analysis demonstrated a correlation between femoral interco ndylar notch stenosis and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. No stat istical difference was found between the sex of the athlete and notch width indices or rate of anterior cruciate ligament tears. Athletes wi th intercondylar notch stenosis appear to be at increased risk for non contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries.