Changes in bone scans after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
Whether anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction retards the progression of osteoarthrosis is not established. Bone scintigraphy can be useful for monitoring the course of osteoarthrosis. Bone scan findings are abnormal in the majority of patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency. Three uptake patterns can be distinguished.


OBJECTIVE
Reconstruction corrects the three abnormal bone scan patterns seen in patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
We performed bone scintigraphy in 80 patients, before and 2 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.


RESULTS
Reconstruction consistently corrected type 2 bone scan pattern (meniscus scan) but not type 1 and 3 patterns (osteoarthrosis and cartilage ulcer scan). Correction of all three patterns decreased among patients who had longer duration of anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and was more reliable for the combined uptake of all three patterns among patients who had less than 6 months of deficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction protects the menisci. Reconstruction may be best performed within 6 months after injury.
Hogervorst
Tom
T
Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Pels Rijcken
Tammo H
TH
Rucker
Diana
D
van der Hart
Cor P
CP
Taconis
Wybren K
WK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013997:Time Factors