ABSTRACT
Accurate reproduction of the anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament during reconstructive surgery is paramount for obtaining good functional results. Graft size and length are important components of the reconstruction and the references we have used are Western figures. We feel that these Western figures do not apply to our local population. We performed an anthropometric study to test the hypothesis that the anterior cruciate ligament in the Singaporean Chinese is smaller than that quoted in Western literature. The study revealed that the anterior cruciate ligament in Singaporean Chinese is shorter and narrower. More importantly, the anterior cruciate ligament orientation in our study population is more vertical. This suggests that placement of the femoral tunnel in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has to be in a more vertical position to reproduce the physiometry of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a technically precise and demanding operation. Attention to factors such as the tunnel position, graft selection, fixation and rehabilitation play an important role in determining the final outcome.
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