Abstract
Aims: Congenital aplasia of the knee cruicate ligaments is considered to be a very rare anomaly of musculoskeletal system. It is frequently found in conjunction with other deformities. Proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD) is a congenital defect which is almost always accompanied by cruciate ligament defect.
The aim of our study was to determine the occurence of cruciate ligament aplasia arthroscopically.
Method: Arthroscopies of the knee joints were always performed as part of other primary operations for PFFD.
In our followed series consisting of 50 PFFD patients, 26 boys and 24 girls, five boys with PFFD classified respectively as Pappas III, VII, VII, VIII and IX and 3 girls with PFFD classified respectively as Pappas III, VII and VIII were examined arthroscopically. Deficiency of cruciate ligaments was also documented in a pateint with the diagnosis of isolated aplasia of the fibula.
Changes in the shape of intercondylar area of the distal femur, and aplasia or hypoplasia of the intercondylar ridge of proximal tibia in all PFFD patients were evaluated by an X-ray.
Conclusions: In all patients who underwent arthroscopy absence of both cruciate ligaments was proven.
Seriousness of the anomaly was inversely related to the degree of classification according to Pappas. None of our patients suffered from problems arising from knee instability. Based on our experience we recommend a reserved approach as far an indication for cruciate ligament reconstruction in PFFD patients is concerned.
Correspondence should be addressed to: EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH – 8005 Zürich, Switzerland. Email: office@efort.org
