The value of sonography in the diagnosis of traumatic rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of sonography in the diagnosis of rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in the setting of a recent traumatic hemarthrosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Sonography was prospectively performed in 37 patients with a recent traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee, no bone abnormality seen on plain radiographs, and no history of a previous knee injury. The presence of a hypoechoic collection along the lateral wall of the femoral intercondylar notch was interpreted as a hematoma at the femoral attachment of the anterior cruciate ligament. Arthroscopy was subsequently performed in 30 patients. The findings of three diagnostic techniques (sonogra..