Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
06:27
Non-Invasive Compression-Induced Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury and In Vivo Imaging of Protease Activity in Mice
Published on: September 29, 2023
An evaluation of reconstructed ACL impingement on PCL using MRI
Makoto Nishimori1, Yoshio Sumen, Kazuki Sakaridani
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, JA Onomichi General Hospital, 7-19 Kohama-cho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-8508, Japan. mako7119@yahoo.co.jp
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
|June 2, 2007
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that reconstructed anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) can impinge on posterior cruciate ligaments (PCLs). This impingement, identified via MRI, was associated with a lower PCL index, indicating posterior displacement.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Radiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopedic procedure.
- Potential complications include impingement of the reconstructed ACL on the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
- Understanding the relationship between ACL reconstruction techniques and PCL impingement is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) impingement after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- To assess the correlation between ACL graft type (single-bundle vs. double-bundle) and PCL impingement.
- To investigate the relationship between PCL impingement and the PCL index measured on sagittal MRI views.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 42 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction (31 single-bundle, 11 double-bundle).
- Oblique axial MRIs were used to assess PCL shape and categorize patients into impingement-positive or -negative groups.
- Sagittal MRIs were used to measure the PCL index (Liu's method) and correlate it with the degree of impingement.
Main Results:
- PCL impingement was observed in 14/31 single-bundle and 5/11 double-bundle ACL reconstructions at 3 months post-surgery.
- At 12 months post-surgery, impingement rates were 17/31 for single-bundle and 5/11 for double-bundle reconstructions.
- The PCL index was significantly lower in the impingement-positive group compared to the impingement-negative group at multiple time points.
Conclusions:
- Reconstructed ACLs can impinge on the PCL, particularly in the knee-extended position.
- Impingement-positive cases showed a trend towards more posterior displacement of the PCL.
- The PCL index may serve as a useful imaging biomarker for detecting PCL impingement following ACL reconstruction.
