The morphology of the femoral footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament changes with aging from a large semicircular shape to a small flat ribbon-like shape

• DOI: 10.1007/s00167-022-06935-2
• Publication Date: 2022-03-22T19:03:41Z
• Authors: Rodolfo Morales-A...; Simone Perelli; Félix Vilchez-Cav...; Tadeo Castillo-Es...; Víctor M. Peña-Ma...; Rodrigo Elizondo-...; Santos Guzmán-López; José Ramón Padill...; Juan Carlos Monllau
• Keywords: Footprint; Age groups; Ribbon; Morphology

Compare the differences in morphology of ACL femoral footprint between cadavers young and elderly consideration degenerative physiological process that occurs with aging.The was dissected 81 knees known gender age (45 male/36 female). They were divided into four groups by gender, establishing 50 years as cut-off point to divide patients age. Three observers analyzed dissections, shapes described classified. The area morphometric characteristics insertion determined these compared genders groups.The from males younger than presented a semicircular 90% cases. In aged more years, ribbon-like found 96% women less old, observed 93.7% over 95% A significant difference prevalence rates morphologies, size measurements older (p < 0.001 for both genders).The presents variations its morphology, time. It goes large shape almost contacts posterior articular cartilage smaller, flattened moves away edge cartilage. is bounded anteriorly lateral intercondylar ridge. These findings should be considered avoid employing reconstruction techniques which tunnels oval or rectangular are used under because they do not correspond this group.