Intraoperative measurement of knee kinematics in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament

Our objectives were to establish the envelope of passive movement and to demonstrate the kinematic behaviour of the knee during standard clinical tests before and after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). An electromagnetic device was used to measure movement of the joint during surgery. Reconstruction of the ACL significantly reduced the overall envelope of tibial rotation (10degrees to 90degrees flexion), moved this envelope into external rotation from 0degrees to 20degrees flexion, and reduced the anterior position of the tibial plateau (5degrees to 30degrees flexion) (p < 0.05 for all). During the pivot-shift test in early flexion there was progressive anterior tibial subluxation with internal rotation. These subluxations reversed suddenly around a mean position of 36 +/- 9degrees of flexion of the knee and consisted of an external tibial rotation of 13 +/- 8degrees combined with a posterior tibial translation of 12 +/- 8 mm. This abnormal movement was abolished after reconstruction of the ACL.