Retrospective comparative study, Level III.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to quantify sagittal and rotational knee laxity profiles taking into account individual influencing factors.MethodsLinear regression models were used to determine which individual characteristics (age, height, body mass and sex) influenced the outcome in a group of 104 healthy subjects. The standardized residuals were used as individualized (corrected) laxity scores and were combined to determine knee laxity profiles. ResultsAnterior knee laxity was not influenced by individual characteristics. Rotational knee laxity was higher in females and inversely related to body mass. The correlation between anterior laxity and internal rotation scores was weak (r = 0.24, p = 0.02). The proportion of knees concerned by increased laxity scores (scores >1) was similar for anterior displacement, internal and external rotation (15 %). Only 32 % of the tested subjects showed a normal profile (score >−1 and <1) for all three directions, 33 % were concerned by hyperlaxity, 40 % by hypolaxity and 5 % by both. ConclusionsThe diversity of laxity profiles found here highlights that the interpretation of multidirectional knee laxity is complex and suggests the necessity for individualized care of knee diseases and injuries. These results contribute to the understanding of knee laxity and throw the basis for prevention strategies and improvement of treatment outcomes in injuries and diseases.Level of evidenceCase series with no comparison groups, Level IV.

The healthy contralateral knees of patients with noncontact ACL injuries display different laxity values both for internal rotation and anterior displacement compared with healthy control knees. The identification of knee laxity profiles may be of relevance for primary and secondary prevention programs of noncontact ACL injuries.

Diagnostic study, Level III.

No abstract