Correlation of Femoral Tunnel Length with Body Height, Limb Length, and Thigh Length in Indian Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Purpose To measure the femoral tunnel length created through a far medial portal and determine its correlation with body height, limb length, and thigh length in 404 Indian patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods 364 male and 40 female Indian patients aged 18 to 51 (mean, 26.8) years underwent ACL reconstruction by a single surgeon using the hamstrings tendon autograft. Their body height, limb length, and thigh length were measured by a single assessor, as was the femoral tunnel length. Results The mean femoral tunnel length was 34.5 mm. It was <30 mm in 28 patients and <25 mm in 2 patients. The correlation coefficients of the femoral tunnel length with body height, limb length, and thigh length were 0.485 (p<0.0001), 0.426 (p<0.0001), and 0.304 (p<0.0001). No patient had posterior wall blowout fracture. Conclusion The femoral tunnel length positively correlated with body height, limb length, and thigh length in 404 Indian patients.