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..