Articular cartilage injury of the posterior lateral tibial plateau associated with acute anterior cruciate ligament injury

Thirty-nine knees in 39 patients with recent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture (age 14–55 years; with a mean age of 22.8 years) were selected from our cases of ACL reconstruction from July 2005 to June 2006, to take part in a study on articular cartilage injury of the posterior lateral tibial plateau associated with acute ACL injury and on the correlation between bone bruises depicted on MRI and cartilage injury of the posterior lateral tibial plateau detected at arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Using preoperative MRI, we evaluated whether there were bone bruises or not in the lateral compartment of the knee and divided them accordingly into two groups: the bone bruise positive group and the negative group. The differences in the proportions of the lateral meniscus (LM) tears and the cartilage injuries in the two groups were evaluated using Fisher’s exact probability test. Thirty-five cases out of 39 arthroscopic ACL reconstructions (89.7%) were regarded as bone bruise positive in the lateral compartment and four cases (10.3%) were regarded as negative. At arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, 33 cases (84.6%) had tears in the LM posterior horn, 34 cases (87.2%) had articular cartilage injuries in the lateral femoral condyle and 29 cases (74.3%) had articular cartilage injuries in the posterior lateral tibial plateau. From 35 bone bruise positive cases, 32 cases (91.4%) had tears in the LM posterior horn, 33 cases (94.3%) had articular cartilage injuries in the lateral femoral condyle and 28 cases (80%) had articular cartilage injuries in the posterior lateral tibial plateau. Of four bone bruise negative cases, one case (25%) had a tear in the LM posterior horn, articular cartilage injury of the lateral femoral condyle and of the posterior lateral tibial plateau. There was a statistically significant correlation between the proportion of bone bruise and cartilage injury of the lateral femoral condyle (P = 0.004), that of the posterior lateral tibial plateau (P = 0.04) and that of tears in the LM posterior horn (P = 0.008). This current study has demonstrated that we need to pay attention to cartilage damage of the posterior lateral tibial plateau as well as to posterior horn tears in LM, when acute ACL injury is shown. We also have to ensure that we follow the long-term progress of cartilage injuries, with the aim of preventing these injuries becoming osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction.     

Bone injury associated with anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal tears: assessment with bone single photon emission computed tomography

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Acute injury of the menisci and ligaments about the knee joint is often associated with accompanying bone injury. The role of bone single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was assessed in this clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Knee SPECT was performed in 94 patients with suspected ACL, meniscal tear, or both and was correlated with arthroscopy (n = 74), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 37), or both. Scintigraphic findings were categorized based on their anatomic location and on uptake intensity (0-3 grade scale). RESULTS: Correlation with arthroscopy: Eleven patients had a normal arthroscopy of which in 10, SPECT images detected no abnormality. Sixty-three patients had abnormal arthroscopic findings, whereas all had abnormal SPECT studies. Thirty-eight patients had an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on arthroscopy. In this type of injury SPECT images detected increased uptake in the posterior aspect of the lateral tibial plateau (LTPp) with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 93% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 97%. In 55% of the patients, increased uptake was also detected in the region of the middle sulcus of the lateral femoral condyle (LFCm): a "kissing" pattern. Tear of the medial meniscus was diagnosed by arthroscopy in 43 patients. SPECT images detected increased uptake in the medial tibial plateau (MTP) with a PPV of 78% and a NPV of 83%. Correlation with MRI: all seven cortical fractures seen on MRI were detected on SPECT. Twenty-eight patients had MRI findings suggestive of an ACL injury. Accompanying bone bruises were seen in 18 of them (64%). On SPECT images, all 28 patients with an ACL tear had increased uptake in the LTPp. Intensity of uptake in patients with associated bone bruise, however, was significantly higher; mean intensity grade 2.4 +/- 0.7 in case of accompanying bone bruise compared with 1.4 +/- 0.8 in case of an ACL tear without associated bone injury, P< 0.01. CONCLUSION: Results of the study suggest that bone SPECT is valuable in acute knee trauma for assessment of ACL, meniscal tears, or both and for detection of associated bone injury.     

急性前交叉韧带断裂合并膝关节骨挫伤的临床研究

目的 :总结前交叉韧带急性断裂时骨挫伤的不同类型和分布 ,探讨骨挫伤与关节软骨损伤的关系。方法 :回顾性研究 37例前交叉韧带急性断裂合并膝关节骨挫伤患者的影像学和临床资料 ,分析前交叉韧带急性断裂时骨挫伤的MRI不同表现类型、分布以及关节镜下软骨损伤的情况。结果 :MRI显示本组病例骨挫伤共 5 7处 ,其中Ⅰ型 1 4处 (2 4 .6 %) ,Ⅱ型 32处 (5 6 .1 %) ,Ⅲ型 3处(5 .3%) ,Ⅳ型 6处 (1 0 .5 %) ,Ⅴ型 2处 (3.5 %)。共 5 4处 (94 .7%)骨挫伤位于外侧间室 ,其中股骨外髁骨挫伤 31处 ,胫骨外侧平台骨挫伤 2 3处。经关节镜下手术发现 9处 (1 5 .8%)骨挫伤部位有软骨损伤表现。结论 :急性前交叉韧带断裂时 ,骨挫伤通常发生在外侧间室 ,尤其集中在外侧股骨髁前部以及外侧胫骨平台后部。关节镜下软骨损伤与骨挫伤并非一一对应的关系。     

Usefulness of 99Tcm-MDP knee SPET for pre-arthroscopic evaluation of patients with internal derangements of the knee

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether knee SPET can localize lesion sites in patients with internal derangements of the knee. We performed knee SPET as a pre-arthroscopic examination in 63 consecutive patients. SPET imaging was performed with a triple-headed SPET camera 4 h after the injection of 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate. Arthroscopic diagnoses were as follows: 28 medial meniscus injuries, 24 lateral meniscus injuries, 31 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, three posterior cruciate ligament injuries and one medial collateral ligament injury. Of 30 patients with crescent-shaped increased activity at the medial tibial plateau, 22 had medial meniscus injuries (positive predictive value: PPV 73%); of 17 patients with crescent-shaped activity at the lateral tibial plateau, 13 had lateral meniscus injuries (PPV 76%). Of 18 patients with increased activity at ACL attachment sites (primary sign), 17 had ACL injuries (PPV 94%). Of 27 patients with increased activity at bone impaction sites of ACL injury (secondary sign), 22 had ACL injuries (PPV 81%). Of 32 patients who had either a primary or secondary sign, 26 had ACL injuries (PPV 81%). We conclude that knee SPET is very useful in the management of internal derangements of the knee, particularly in determining the need for arthroscopy by localizing lesion sites.     

Bone single-photon emission tomography in recent meniscal tears: an assessment of diagnostic criteria

Bone single-photon emission tomography (SPET) was performed in 40 patients within 6 months of acute knee injury where internal derangement of the knee was suspected, and the results related to the arthroscopy findings. Scan features with high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy for a meniscal tear could not be obtained on planar imaging. However, a half-crescent or more of increased tibial plateau activity on transaxial SPET gave a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 76%, a positive predictive accuracy of 77% and a negative predictive value of 89%. For longitudinal (bucket handle) tears alone the optimum scan pattern was a full crescent of increased tibial plateau activity with adjacent femoral activity and increased blood pool activity which gave corresponding values of 78%, 94%, 78% and 93%. It is concluded that the inclusion of tibial plateau activity of less than a full crescent and the presence of femoral condyle and blood pool activity in the diagnostic criteria improves the ability of bone SPET to detect meniscal tears. The value of bone SPET in the diagnosis of meniscal tears suggests that it could have a significant role to play in the management of knee injuries. Correspondence to: P.J. Ryan     

MRI多征象分析对前交叉韧带损伤的诊断价值

目的：评价MRI对前交叉韧带（anterior cruciate ligament,ACL）损伤多种征象的诊断价值。方法：回顾分析了128个膝关节的MR图像。全部膝关节均行关节镜检查,其中52个膝关节的ACL损伤,另外76个膝关节的ACL显示完整。在不告知关节镜结果的前提条件下,2名影像科医生共同对ACL损伤的5个直接征象和10个间接征象进行评价,意见不一致时协商解决差异。结果：在评价的5个直接征象中,ACL不连续和ACL走行异常具有相对高的诊断敏感性和特异性;在评价的10个间接征象中,大多数具有相对高的特异性和低的敏感性,其中空髁间窝征、Notch征、外侧半月板后角裸露征、PCL指数、冠状面PCL单层显示等征象特异性较高。结论：ACL损伤的直接征象为诊断的主要依据,以ACL不连续和ACL走行异常具有较高的诊断价值;ACL损伤的间接征象具有辅助诊断意义,其中空髁间窝征、Notch征、外侧半月板后角裸露征、PCL指数、冠状面PCL单层显示等征象最具有诊断价值。     

Occult fracture patterns of the knee associated with anterior cruciate ligament tears: assessment with MR imaging.

One hundred consecutive magnetic resonance (MR) images of the knee in patients with acute complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears were reviewed to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of associated occult fractures. Eighty-nine occult fractures were identified in 56 knees. All occult fractures were in the posterior aspect of the lateral tibial plateau. Of these, occult fractures were isolated in 24 cases (43%) and were in combination with fractures in the middle aspect of the lateral femoral condyle in 26 (46%), with fractures in the posterior aspect of the medial tibial plateau in four (7%), and with fractures involving all three areas in one (2%). Disruption of the ACL under valgus stress leads to anterior translation of the tibia and relative external rotation of the femur. This allows impaction of the posterior portion of the lateral tibial plateau against the middle of the lateral femoral condyle and accounts for the unique pattern of occult fractures associated with ACL tears. An occult fracture of the posterior lateral tibial plateau with or without an associated fracture in the lateral femoral condyle ("kissing contusion") is a relatively frequent finding in acute ACL tears and, when present, is highly suggestive of such an associated tear.     

Combined osteochondral fracture of the posterolateral tibial plateau and Segond fracture with anterior cruciate ligament injury in a skeletally immature patient

A case of a 14-year-old boy with a rare injury—an osteochondral fracture of the posterolateral tibial plateau associated with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rapture, and Segond fracture characterized by an avulsion fracture of the lateral tibial plateau—is reported. This case was noteworthy because it involved a rare combination of ACL injuries. This injury was thought to be caused by the impaction between the posterior aspect of the lateral tibial plateau and the lateral femoral condyle during internal rotational displacement of the knee joint at the time of injury, because the osteochondral fracture of the posterolateral tibial plateau matched the site where the bone bruise was observed.     

The location-specific healing response of damaged articular cartilage after ACL reconstruction: short-term follow-up

Although many different interventions have been proposed for treating cartilage lesions at the time of ACL reconstruction, the normal healing response of these injuries has not been well documented. To address this point, we compared the arthroscopic status of chondral lesions at the time of ACL reconstruction with that obtained at second-look arthroscopy. We hypothesized that there might be a location-specific difference in the healing response of damaged articular cartilage. Between September 1998 and March 2000, 383 patients underwent arthroscopically-assisted hamstring ACL reconstruction without any intervention to the articular cartilage. Among these patients, 84 patients underwent second-look arthroscopy (ranging from 6 to 52 months following initial surgery) and make up the population of the present study. Chondral injuries, left untreated at ACL reconstruction, were arthroscopically evaluated using the Outerbridge classification, and were again evaluated at second-look arthroscopy. At second-look arthroscopy, there was significant recovery of chondral lesions by Outerbridge grading on both the medial and lateral femoral condyles. Among the recovered chondral lesions, 69% of cases of the medial femoral condyle, 88% of cases of the lateral femoral condyle were partial thickness injuries (grade I and II). Conversely, there was no significant recovery of chondral lesions observed at the patello-femoral joint or tibial plateaus. Our study revealed that there was a location-specific difference in the natural healing response of chondral injury. Untreated cartilage lesions on the femoral condlyes had a superior healing response compared to those on the tibial plateaus, and in the patello-femoral joint.     

Posteromedial tibial plateau injury including avulsion fracture of the semimembranous tendon insertion site: ancillary sign of anterior cruciate ligament tear at MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate posteromedial tibial plateau injuries of or about the semimembranous tendon insertion site and their association with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears on magnetic resonance (MR) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of MR images and conventional radiographs was performed in 10 patients with posteromedial tibial plateau injuries, including avulsion fractures of the semimembranous tendon insertion site. Associated abnormalities were analyzed, including ACL tears, medial meniscal tears, and other lateral femorotibial compartment injuries. Findings from the clinical history and physical examination were correlated with radiographic and MR imaging findings. Nine patients had arthroscopically or surgically documented ACL tears. RESULTS: All 10 patients had ACL tears at MR imaging. Five patients had posteromedial tibial plateau fractures: Four had avulsion fractures of the tendon insertion site, and one had a fracture lateral to the site. Five patients had posteromedial tibial plateau bruises: Two had bruises at the tendon insertion site. Five patients had tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Two patients had posterior meniscocapsular separations. Three patients showed evidence of the O'Donoghue triad. Six patients had bruises of the lateral tibial plateau and of the lateral femoral condyle. CONCLUSION: There appears to be an association between posteromedial tibial plateau injuries and ACL tears. Posteromedial tibial plateau injuries may be predictive of ACL status.     

外伤性膝关节前外侧韧带损伤的MR影像特征及相关性分析

目的探讨外伤所致膝关节前外侧韧带损伤病人的MR影像特征,并分析其与前交叉韧带撕裂、外侧半月板撕裂及骨挫伤的相关性,为深入研究前外侧韧带对膝关节稳定性的作用提供可靠依据。方法回顾性分析2016年1月—2017年2月间因外伤进行膝关节MRI检查的320例病人(共321膝)的影像资料。采用美国GE公司生产的Signa HDe 1.5 T MR扫描设备,分别行膝关节斜矢状面T1WI、质子密度加权成像(PDWI)和冠状面、横断面PDWI扫描。根据前外侧韧带的完整性和损伤部位对所有病人进行分类统计。采用独立性卡方检验对前外侧韧带撕裂与前交叉韧带撕裂、外侧半月板撕裂及骨挫伤的相关性进行分析。结果全部病人膝关节MR影像均可显示前外侧韧带,显示率为100%。151/321膝(47.0%;95%CI为41.6%~52.5%)存在前外侧韧带损伤,其中累及胫骨部、股骨部及半月板部的分别为97膝、96膝及65膝。前交叉韧带撕裂158膝,外侧半月板撕裂98膝,股骨外侧髁挫伤58膝,外侧胫骨平台挫伤71膝,分别与前外侧韧带撕裂具有相关性(均P0.001)。结论 MRI检查可以很好地显示前外侧韧带解剖及其损伤情况。膝关节前外侧韧带损伤与前交叉韧带撕裂、外侧半月板撕裂及膝外侧骨挫伤具有相关性。     

前交叉韧带撕裂的MRI诊断

目的:研究膝关节前交叉韧带撕裂的MRI表现。方法:回顾分析30例经关节镜证实的前交叉韧带撕裂MR图像及40例完好的ACL,分析其直接及间接征象的特征。结果:在评价的直接征象中,ACL不连续和ACL走行异常均具有相对高的诊断敏感性、特异性;在评价的间接征象中,后交叉韧带角、Blumensaat角、后交叉韧带指数、半月板后移征、“对吻性”骨挫伤、胫骨前移位等6个征象具有相对高的特异性,后交叉韧带角、Blumensaat角具有较高的敏感性。结论:ACL损伤的直接征象为诊断主要依据,ACL损伤的间接征象具有辅助诊断意义。     

Is there an influence of the tibial slope of the lateral condyle on the ACL lesion?

This study examines the effect of the tibial slope on the anterior cruciate ligament lesion (separately on the lateral and medial tibial condyle). The study consisted of 33 matched pairs of patients divided into two groups: an examined group with a diagnosed ACL lesion, and a control group with diagnosed patellofemoral pain. The patients were matched on the basis of four attributes: age, sex, type of lesion (whether it was profession-related), and whether the lesion was left- or right-sided. Measurements were carried out by radiography and MRI. In the examined group, the lateral tibial plateau was significantly greater than in the control group (P < 0.001), and the medial tibial plateau had lower tibial slope values than the control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.066). In both groups, the difference between the slopes on the lateral and medial plateaus was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In relation to ACL intact patients, population with ACL rupture have greater tibial slope of the lateral condyle. The greater tibial slope of the lateral tibial plateau may be the factor that leads to the injury of the anterior cruciate ligament. Compared to the medial plateau, the population with ACL rupture have a greater tibial slope on the lateral plateau, while the population of the intact ACL have greater tibial slope on the medial plateau. The tibial slope of the medial and lateral condyle should be compared separately because the values obtained from the two sets of data were different, revealing apparently opposing effects on the ACL lesion.     

Frequency and topography of lesions of the femoro-tibial cartilage at spiral CT arthrography of the knee: a study in patients with normal knee radiographs and without history of trauma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and topography of cartilage lesions involving the femoro-tibial joints in patients with normal knee radiographs and without a remembered history of trauma. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: A radiologist retrospectively reviewed the dual-detector spiral CT knee arthrograms performed in 209 consecutive patients (mean age 37.6 years) with normal knee radiographs. Images were analyzed for the presence, grade (Noyes classification system) and location of cartilage lesions, the location being designated by dividing each articular surface into a grid of 16 parts. RESULTS: Fifty-three percent of knees had cartilage lesions of grade 2A or higher that involved articular surfaces to a variable extent: lateral tibial plateau (31%), medial femoral condyle (27%), medial tibial plateau (14%) and lateral femoral condyle (5%). Areas of the posterior half of the lateral tibial plateau and of the inner half of the medial femoral condyle were statistically more frequently involved than their counterparts (P<0.0001). The bare area of the medial tibial plateau, but not that of the lateral tibial plateau, was more frequently involved than the corresponding meniscus-covered area (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Cartilage lesions of grade 2A or higher, detected at spiral CT arthrography in 53% of the knees, predominantly involved the posterior half of the lateral tibial plateau, the inner half of the medial femoral condyle and the bare area of the medial tibial plateau.     

The value of magnetic resonance imaging in our current management of ACL and meniscal injuries

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently used in the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscal injuries. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the reliability and value of MRI in our management of ACL and meniscal tears. 138 patients who had undergone a MRI to confirm or refute the clinical diagnosis of an ACL or meniscal tear were identified. Those who had subsequently undergone arthroscopy were selected. MRI findings and clinical diagnosis were compared with those at arthroscopy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and overall accuracy of clinical diagnosis and MRI were then calculated. The overall accuracy for MRI was 91, 68 and 86% for detecting ACL, medial meniscal and lateral meniscal tears, respectively. Accuracy for clinical diagnosis was 90 and 64% for ACL and meniscal tears, respectively. In contrast to other series, our results indicate a lower accuracy of MRI in detecting pathology, especially of the ACL and medial meniscus. We noted a low sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value but a high negative predictive value rendering MRI most useful as a negative diagnostic tool. We suggest that where symptoms and clinical findings support one of these diagnoses and arthroscopic therapeutic intervention is contemplated, that MRI scanning is not always beneficial. Our current practice of requesting scans to routinely confirm the diagnosis should be altered. Unnecessary MRI scanning increases the financial burden and delays patient treatment. No funding has been received from any sources and no conflicts of interests are stated in the submission of this article.     

间接法MRI膝关节造影对半月板撕裂的评价

目的　评价间接法MRI膝关节造影对半月板撕裂的诊断价值。方法　回顾性分析 75例常规MRI膝关节扫描和 6 4例间接法MRI膝关节造影病例资料 ,以膝关节镜检查为诊断金标准 ,对比分析常规MRI和间接法MRI膝关节造影对半月板撕裂的诊断。结果　间接法MRI膝关节造影对内侧半月板撕裂的诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为 72 %,10 0 %,89.1%,10 0 %和 84.8%;对外侧半月板撕裂分别为 83.8%,90 .9%,87.5 %,89.6 %和 85 .7%。与常规MRI比较 ,间接法MRI膝关节造影对内外侧半月板撕裂的诊断能力都没有统计学差异。结论　尽管间接法MRI膝关节造影对内外侧半月板撕裂诊断价值很高 ,但与常规MRI比较没有统计学差异。     

后交叉韧带指数在诊断前交叉韧带损伤中的临床价值研究

目的:测量后交叉韧带指数(posterior cruciate ligament index,PCLindex)并观察其与关节稳定性的关系,评估其诊断前交叉韧带(anterior cruciate ligament,ACL)断裂的临床价值。方法:在ACL完全断裂、部分断裂、完整的受试者膝关节正规MRI矢状位片上,测量其后交叉韧带止点的直线距离(X)和该直线到后交叉韧带弧顶的距离(Y),计算PCL指数(X/Y)。利用KT2000,在屈膝30°和90°位分别给于15磅、20磅、30磅和最大拉力,测量双侧胫骨前移的距离,计算双膝的位移差值。分析PCL指数与KT2000位移差值的相关性,评价PCL指数的临床诊断价值。结果:ACL完整患者的PCL指数为5.0953±0.6029,ACL部分断裂患者的PCL指数为3.5867±0.5276,ACL完全断裂患者的PCL指数为3.4217±0.5532。PCL指数与最大拉力时的KT2000位移差值呈负相关。结论:PCL指数可以作为前交叉韧带断裂的临床诊断参考指标。     

Bone signal abnormalities in the posterolateral tibia and lateral femoral condyle in complete tears of the anterior cruciate ligament: a specific sign?

Thirty-two patients with acute, complete tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) proved at surgery underwent examination with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Bone impaction sites were present in the posterolateral tibial plateau in 30 patients (94%) and in the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) in 29 patients (91%). The bone abnormalities had low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images when compared with the signal intensity of normal marrow. It is assumed that the bone changes occur during injury when the LFC impacts into the posterior tibia, either during the initial rotary subluxation or as the LFC recoils to return to anatomic alignment. Only one of six partial ACL tears had a bone signal change. In patients with acute knee injury, bone impaction sites in the posterolateral tibia and the LFC suggest that a complete ACL tear is present.     

骨挫伤的MRI表现及意义

目的:探讨骨挫伤的MRI表现及意义。方法:回顾性分析两年内1 050名患者中的86例骨挫伤病例的MRI表现。结果:骨挫伤常伴有其他结构损伤,以股骨及胫骨外侧髁骨挫伤最多见,其次为股骨及胫骨内侧髁骨挫伤;常伴有前后交叉韧带、内外侧副韧带、内外侧半月板损伤及创伤性滑膜炎。结论:MRI对骨挫伤及其他结构损伤的发现有重要的临床意义。     

MR imaging of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction poor outcomes

Purpose

Is to study the diagnostic value of MR imaging in assessment of poor outcomes of ACL reconstruction using second look arthroscopy of the knee as a gold standard.

Patients and methods

51 patients were included in this study who did ACL reconstruction followed by MRI and second look arthroscopy. Arthroscopy study was performed within 7–15 days from MR examination. The time interval between ACL reconstruction and MRI examination was 10 months to 9 years. MR images were evaluated for; (1) ACL graft failure assessing the primary and secondary signs, (2) Tibial and femoral tunnel location, and (3) Complication of ACL graft reconstruction. MR imaging results were compared with the arthroscopic results.

Results

Second look arthroscopy revealed 23 patients with full- thickness ACL graft tears, 17 partial -thickness ACL graft tears and 11 intact ACL grafts. Complete ACL graft discontinuity, focal ACL graft thinning and preserved 100% graft thickness were the most valuable primary MRI signs in the diagnosis of full thickness ACL graft tear, partial tear and intact graft respectively.

Conclusion

We found MR imaging to be reliable for the evaluation of ACL graft poor outcomes including graft failure and complications.