The intrinsic risk factors for ACL ruptures: an evidence-based review

Abstract

This article aims to assess the evidence related to the intrinsic risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. The level of evidence (according to evidence-based guidelines) for each study and the level of certainty for each risk factor were determined. After a review of the evidence, femoral notch geometry was the only risk factor that was found to be associated with risk of ACL rupture with high certainty. This review concludes that more research, particularly high-quality, prospective studies, are required to provide accurate measures of risk. These data should be used to establish multifactorial risk factor models designed to identify individuals at high risk of sustaining an ACL injury.