Cartilage quantitative T2 relaxation time 2–4 years following isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Issue 7 (24th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xinyang; Wrigley, Tim V.; Bennell, Kim L.; Wang, Yuanyuan; Fortin, Karine; Cicuttini, Flavia M.; Lloyd, David G.; Bryant, Adam L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of orthopaedic research. Volume 36:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 2022
• Page End: 2029
• Publication Date: 2018-01-24
• Subjects: anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction -- post‐traumatic osteoarthritis -- magnetic resonance imaging -- T2 mapping; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal system -- Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.1002/jor.23846
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-0266

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Cartilage T2 relaxation time in isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) without concomitant meniscal pathology and their changes over time remain unclear. The purpose of this exploratory study was to: (i) compare cartilage T2 relaxation time (T2 values) in people with isolated ACLR at 2–3 years post‐surgery (baseline) and matched healthy controls and; (ii) evaluate the subsequent 2‐year change in T2 values in people with ACLR. Twenty‐eight participants with isolated ACLR and nine healthy volunteers underwent knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline; 16 ACLR participants were re‐imaged 2 years later. Cartilage T2 values in full thickness, superficial layers, and deep layers were quantified in the tibia, femur, trochlear, and patella. Between‐group comparisons at baseline were performed using analysis of covariance adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. Changes over time in the ACLR group were evaluated using paired sample t ‐tests. ACLR participants showed significantly higher ( p = 0.03) T2 values in the deep layer of medial femoral condyle at baseline compared to controls (mean difference 4.4 ms [13%], 95%CI 0.4, 8.3 ms). Over 2 years, ACLR participants showed a significant reduction ( p = 0.04) in T2 value in the deep layer of lateral tibia (mean change 1.4 ms [−7%], 95%CI 0.04, 2.8 ms). The decrease in T2 values suggests improvement in cartilage composition in the lateral tibia (deep layer) of ACLR participants. Further research with larger ACLR cohorts divided according to meniscal status and matched healthy cohorts are needed to further understand cartilage changes post‐ACLR. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2022–2029, 2018. Abstract : Twenty‐eight individuals with isolated ACL reconstruction (ACLR) exhibited significantly ( p < 0.05) higher T2 relaxation time values—suggestive of cartilage degeneration—in the deep layer of the medial femoral condyle compared with controls ( n = 9) at 2–3 years post‐surgery. Somewhat surprisingly, ACLR individuals ( n = 16) showed a significant decrease in T2 values in the deep layer of the lateral tibia from 2 to 4 years post‐surgery, suggesting a partial improvement in cartilage composition.