Sex-stratified analyses of femoral intercondylar notch morphology and ACL injury risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Joachim Ho, Ernest Chew, Amit Chawla et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the relationship between femoral intercondylar notch morphology and ACL injury risk, analyzing data from 24 studies with a focus on sex differences. The findings revealed that ACL-injured knees had narrower notch widths compared to control knees, with a mean difference of -1.74 mm in females and -1.31 mm in males, indicating a consistent anatomical risk factor across sexes.
Key findings
- ACL-injured knees had narrower notch widths than control knees in females (MD -1.74 mm) and males (MD -1.31 mm).
- Notch width differences were significant in males (MD -0.01) but not in females.
- Limited data suggested higher ACL injury odds with A-shaped notches in females (OR 2.85) and males (OR 1.67).
Why it matters
Understanding the anatomical factors contributing to ACL injuries can help clinicians identify at-risk individuals and inform preventive strategies. This study highlights the importance of femoral notch morphology in assessing ACL injury risk across sexes.