ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the possible presence of lesions, in patients treated for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MR examinations of the knee were performed in 54 patients previously surgically treated for an ACL lesion, with a patellar tendon graft. MR was performed in a period of time ranging from 10 to 36 months after surgery. The authors studied the new ligament, transosseous tunnel location, the patellar tendon, other possible articular lesions and the extent and signal of possible synovial fibrotic reaction. RESULTS: Lesions of the new ligament were found in 21 patients with the following patterns: atrophic reabsorption of the new-ACL (6 patients), and diffuse or focal alterations in morfology and signal (15 patients). In 15 patients the new ACL lesions were associated with incorrect positioning of tibial tunnels. All of the new ligament lesions diagnosed with MR were arthroscopically confirmed. In 12 patients the patellar tendon in 12 patients was involved with inflammatory-degenerative alterations. Other associated lesions were found involving menisci (18 patients), medial collateral ligament (MCL) (8 patients), osteochondral surfaces (12 patients). In patients with an intact new ACL, instability was correlated with meniscal lesions associated with MCL irregularities. In 4 patients a diffuse fibrotic synovial tissue was responsible for limited articular excursion. CONCLUSIONS: MR in post-ACL substitution has to panoramically investigate all articular compartments, with a complete evaluation of all articular lesions that can contribute to articular symptomatology in order to choose the correct therapeutic strategy.
