Arthroscopic evaluation of the articular cartilage after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a short-term prospective study of 105 patients.
OBJECTIVE
Several reports have shown the progression of degenerative osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. No report has been published about early cartilage change after ACL reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the articular cartilage after ACL reconstruction in a short postoperative period by arthroscopy.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
We examined the status of articular cartilage of 105 patients who received ACL reconstruction and second-look arthroscopy. Cartilage lesion was evaluated arthroscopically in the 6 articular surfaces independently, and these features were classified by modified Outerbridge's classification. We compared the articular cartilage at reconstruction and at second-look arthroscopy.


RESULTS
A significant worsening of the status of the articular cartilage was seen after ACL reconstruction. This worsening was seen at all articular surfaces except the lateral femoral condyle. Most of the change involved softening or fibrillation. Anterior laxity and meniscal lesion had no correlation with a progression of degenerative change of articular cartilage. Patient's age influenced the progression of articular cartilage damage after reconstruction significantly in our cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The status of articular cartilage was significantly worsened after ACL reconstruction. Potent risk factors causing articular cartilage damage include female gender and age of 30 years or older.


METHODS
Level IV.
Asano
Hiroshi
H
Department of Orthopedics, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. h-asano@mtg.biglobe.ne.jp
Muneta
Takeshi
T
Ikeda
Hiroo
H
Yagishita
Kazuyoshi
K
Kurihara
Yoshiaki
Y
Sekiya
Ichiro
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001863:Bone Screws; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D020878:Device Removal; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology*; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000473:pathology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012307:Risk Factors; D024162:Second-Look Surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome