Knee Surg Relat Res.  2017 Dec;29(4):307-315. 10.5792/ksrr.16.076.

Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Similarity of Right and Left Knee Joints

• Jang KM
• Park JH
• Chang M
• Kim Y
• Lee D
• Park S
• Wang JH

• KMID: 2398259
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5792/ksrr.16.076

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomical similarity of three-dimensional (3D) morphometric parameters between right and left knees.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ten fresh-frozen paired cadaveric knees were tested. Following dissection, footprint areas of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) were measured. Surface scanning was performed using a 3D scanner. Scanned data were reproduced and morphometric parameters were measured on specialized software. After making mirror models, we compared footprint center positions of the ACL and PCL of both sides and calculated the average deviation of 3D alignment between the right- and left-side models.
RESULTS
No significant side-to-side differences were found in any morphometric parameters. Bony shapes displayed a side-to-side difference of < 1 mm. Distal femoral and proximal tibial volumes did not present side-to-side differences, either; the average 3D deviations of alignment between the right and left sides were 0.8±0.4/1.1±0.6 mm (distal femur/proximal tibia). Center-to-center distances between the right and left ACL footprints were 2.6/2.7 mm (femur/tibia) for the anteromedial bundle and 2.4/2.8 mm for the posterolateral bundle. They were 1.9/1.5 mm for the anterolateral bundle and 2.2/1.8 mm for the posteromedial bundle of the PCL.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a remarkable 3D morphometric similarity between right and left knees. Our results might support the concept of obtaining morphologic reference data from the uninvolved contralateral knee.

Keyword

Knee; Anterior cruciate ligament; Posterior cruciate ligament; Comparative anatomy; Similarity; Three-dimensional imaging

MeSH Terms

Anatomy, Comparative
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Cadaver
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Knee Joint*
Knee*
Posterior Cruciate Ligament