POSTERIOR TIBIAL SLOPE: IS IT A RISK FACTOR FOR ACL INJURIES?

Abstract

Introduction: Anthropometric anatomical factors may influence mechanical and functional stability of joints. An increased posterior tibial slope places the anterior cruciate ligament at a theroretical biomechanical disadvantage. An increased posterior tibial slope can potentially alter forces during landing tasks by either increasing anterior tibial translation and/or ACL loading. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between posterior tibial slope and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. It is hypothesized that subjects with an ACL injury have an increased posterior tibial slope compared to a normal population.

Methods: Posterior tibial slope in 211 patients (154 male, 57 female) aged 15–49 who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was measured using the posterior tibial cortex as reference. A matched control group was used for comparison.

Results: The average posterior tibial slope in the ACLR population was 6.1 degrees while the control group had average values of 5.4 degrees. This finding nearly reached statistical significance (p=0.057). In the male population average values were 5.5 degrees in the ACLR group and 5.9 in the control group. This was not significant (p=0.21). However there was a significant difference (p=0.04) in the female group. ACLR females had higher values 6.5 degrees whereas the control group had average values of 5.2 degrees.

Discussion: Increased posterior tibial slope decreases the inclination of the ACL and potentially decreases vector force during dynamic tasks. It may further result in suboptimal length-tension relationships of agonistic muscles, increases in electromechanical delays and result in lower force development further leading to increased vector forces on the ACL. Posterior tibial slope angles were slightly smaller than with other published studies. However by using the posterior tibial cortex as reference an average of 3 degrees must be added to the measured values. We could not confirm the results of previous studies demonstrating an increased degree of posterior tibial slope in ACL injured patients. However we demonstrated a significant difference in tibial slope in females. Based on our results an increased posterior tibial slope is not a risk factor in males but possibly contributes to ACL injuries in females. Increased posterior tibial slope may be one of the reasons why females have a higher incidence of ACL injuries.