Substantial side-to-side differences in knee cartilage contact area exist in healthy knees — should we reconsider comparing to the contralateral side after ligament reconstruction?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and subsequent surgical reconstruction (ACLR) result in altered knee kinematics, generalized knee loads, and cartilage contact patterns1. These biomechanical alterations can cause aberrant loading to both the reconstructed graft and knee cartilages, which may predispose individuals with ACLR knees to early-onset osteoarthritis2. It has been widely reported that native knee kinematics are not restored by ACLR and meniscal repair3. These studies, and in fact most studies in the ACL literature, use the intact contralateral knee for comparison4.

Source: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage - July 16, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Laura E Diamond, David J Saxby Source Type: research