Serial Changes in Graft Diameter Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Allograft

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopedic procedure.
• Understanding graft healing and remodeling is crucial for long-term success.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable tool for assessing graft integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serial changes in ACL graft diameter over two years post-reconstruction.
• To correlate graft diameter changes with patient outcomes and stability.

Main Methods:

• Serial MRI scans were performed on 38 patients immediately post-surgery, at 1 year, and at 2 years.
• Graft diameter was measured at proximal, middle, and distal intra-articular levels.
• Correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between graft diameter and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Graft diameter significantly increased from immediate post-op to 1 year (all levels, P < 0.001).
• A modest but significant decrease in graft diameter occurred between 1 and 2 years (all levels, P < 0.001).
• Graft diameter at 2 years remained significantly larger than immediately post-op (all levels, P < 0.001).
• No significant correlation was found between graft diameter measurements and postoperative outcomes or stability.

Conclusions:

• ACL graft diameter follows a unimodal pattern, peaking at 1 year and decreasing by 2 years.
• Despite a decrease, the graft remains enlarged at 2 years compared to immediate post-op.
• Graft diameter changes do not appear to correlate with patient-reported outcomes or knee stability.