Association of Early Knee Extension Range of Motion Deficits With Cartilage T2 Relaxation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury significantly increases the risk for developing knee osteoarthritis (OA), yet the early contributors to cartilage degeneration remain poorly understood. While range of motion (ROM) deficits after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) are associated with long-term development of radiographic OA, the association between early ROM recovery and cartilage composition has not been established.

Hypothesis:

Knee extension ROM deficits at 2 months after ACLR would be associated with worsening tibiofemoral and patellofemoral cartilage T2 relaxation times at 6 months.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A total of 30 participants (15-35 years) were enrolled within 1 month of ACL injury and before ACLR. At 2 months post-ACLR, active knee extension ROM was measured in the supine position using a goniometer. An extension deficit was considered >3° less extension in the injured knee compared to the uninjured side. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging–based T2 relaxometry of the injured knee was performed preoperatively and at 6 months post-ACLR to measure percent change in mean T2 relaxation times in predefined tibial and femoral cartilage regions. Independent t tests were used to compare changes in T2 values between participants with and without an extension deficit.

Results:

The mean age of the participants was 18.8 ± 3.9 years, and 63.3% were female. Fifteen (50.0%) participants exhibited an extension deficit at 2 months. Those with an extension deficit demonstrated a greater increase in T2 relaxation time in the anterior (mean difference, 10.21% [95% CI, 3.67%-16.76%]; P = .003) and weightbearing (mean difference, 6.14% [95% CI, 2.19%-10.09%]; P = .004) cartilage of the medial femoral condyle. No significant group differences were observed in other cartilage regions (all P > .05).

Conclusion:

Knee extension ROM deficits at 2 months post-ACLR are associated with early compositional changes in the medial femoral cartilage, indicating a potential relationship between limited extension and OA risk.