In August 2003, 151 Ticuna Indians (88 males and 63 females) living in the surroundings of Tabatinga city in Amazonas state (Brazil) were examined for anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL) injury using the International Knee Documentation Committee -IKDC2000 method. About 14% of males presented ACL injury, against 3% of female, and 88% of the population studied presented varus knee alignment. The authors believe that the expressive rate of ACL injury in male Brazilian Indians was determined by cultural issues, probably because of soccer playing, with the isolation of the Ticuna village being critical for the lack of diagnosis and treatment.
Knee; Anterior cruciate ligament; Indigenous population; Physical examination
