OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between degree of abnormal deeper lateral femoral notch between anterior cruciate ligament tear.

METHODSThe radiograph and MRI image material of 16 patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury from January 2013 to November 2013 were reviewed including 14 males and 2 females with an average age of 28.3 years old ranging from 18 to 52 years. Eleven cases was on right side and 5 on left. Survey tool of PASC imaging system was used to measure the depth of lateral femoral notch in patients with abnormal indicated by lateral X-ray view or sagittal view of MRI in knee joint,while clinical data,physical examination,image material in arthroscopy of these patients were retrospective researched.

RESULTSFour patients had an abnormal lateral femoral notch with the depth of 2 mm on lateral X-ray and sagittal MRI, while positive anterior drawer sign and Lachman test as well as anterior cruciate ligament tears on MRI, and completed tears were comfirmed on the operation of arthroscopy. Two patients without abnomal lateral femoral notch on lateral view of X-ray while with the depth of 1 mm on sagittal view of MRI were also coupled with positive anterior drawer sign and Lachman test as well as anterior cruciate ligament tears on MRI, and one of them were comfirmed completed anterior cruciate ligament tears on the arthroscopy operation and completed tear could not comfirmed on another one because of disagreed with arthroscopy operation.

CONCLUSIONThere appears to be an association between abnormal lateral femoral notch on lateral view of knee with anterior cruciate ligament tears. An abnormal deeper lateral femoral notch is an indirect evidence for anterior cruciate ligament tears.