Editorial Commentary: The Importance of Bony Morphology in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Injured Patient

Abstract

The outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery depends on many factors. Successful ACL surgery includes evaluating patients' characteristics and addressing all the underlying knee pathologies, including the meniscus tears and ramp lesions. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in ramp lesions as well as the role that bony morphology plays in predisposing patients to ACL injury and failed ACL surgery. Not only pathologic but also physiologic variations in bony morphology like tibial slope and lateral femoral condyle ratio have been correlated with clinical outcomes, failure rates, rotatory instability, and even lesions to the contralateral knee. Evaluating each patient's specific anatomy is recommended when customizing ACL surgery. With further research and increased awareness of relevant bony parameters, we will be able to improve our ability to prevent injury, increase the diagnostic accuracy of associated lesions, and tailor surgery to improve the outcomes and reduce failure rates.