3-T MRI assessment of osteophyte formation in patients with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction

Objective

To define the number and distribution of osteophytes (OPs) in bilateral knee MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of patients with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture.

Materials and methods

Bilateral knee MRIs of 20 patients with unilateral ACL rupture and reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed for OPs. OPs were graded following the KOSS (knee OA scoring system) classification and their compartmental distribution was assessed following the WORMS (Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score) classification.

Results

All examined knees revealed OPs. Knees with ACL rupture showed significant (p?<?0.001) higher total numbers of OPs (mean 11.6; SD?±?4.4) than knees with intact ACL (mean 5.1; SD?±?2.3). Knees with ACL rupture showed increased OP formation in all knee compartments with predominance of marginal OPs in the lateral femorotibial compartment especially on the tibia.

Conclusions

Our results show that after knee injury with ACL rupture and reconstruction, all knee compartments were involved in post-traumatic increase of OP formation. The most affected compartment was the lateral femorotibial compartment on the tibial side.