title: Anterior cruciate ligament fascia lata allograft reconstruction: progressive histologic changes toward maturity.
abstract: Biopsy samples were obtained arthroscopically from 21 patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using rolled, freeze-dried fascia lata allograft in order to evaluate progressive histologic changes toward maturation. The study period was 3-20 months postoperation. The mean age (+/- SEM) was 31.9 +/- 10.3. Histomorphometry was used for quantitative evaluation. Arthroscopic examination showed fully synovialized allografts in all patients. Varying degrees of degenerative tissues were observed histologically. There was a significant, direct correlation between the percentage of polarized tissue and the maturity of the biopsy specimen (r = 0.9; p < 0.04). The mean area of polarization in the postrehabilitation period (10-20 months) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than in the rehabilitation period (3-20 months). Overall, there was a progressive decrease in cellularity and vascularity as the allograft matured. Compared with the biopsy samples of normal ACLs, the allograft was still undergoing maturation 20 months postoperatively.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Center of the Rockies, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Horstman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmadu-Suka
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Norrdin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000473:pathology; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D001706:Biopsy; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology