Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of medial and lateral posterior tibial slope (MTPS - LTPS) on the likehood of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft failure.
Methods
The study included 37 patients of mean age 28 years who underwent revision ACL reconstruction for graft failure within 2 years after primary surgery. These patients matched with a control group of 37 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction without graft failure. Groups matched by age and sex. The graft used for both primary and revision surgery was autograft in all patients. MTPS and LTPS was determined on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by Hudek method and compared in 2 groups. Patients with postoperative infection, skeletal immaturity, and history of trauma were excluded.
Results
The mean LTPS in the ACL graft failure group was found to be 7.10, which was significantly higher than that in control group at 3.30 (p = .002). No significant association was identified with MTPS between graft failure and control groups with mean value of 3.50 and 3.10 respectively (p = .561).
Conclusion
This study showed that an increased LTPS is associated with risk for early ACL graft failure. MTPS had no significant association. Attention should be paid on LTPS for preoperative planning of ACL reconstruction.