Degeneration in ACL Injured Knees with and without Reconstruction in Relation to Muscle Size and Fat Content —Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

by Pia M. Jungmann, Thomas Baum, Michael C. Nevitt, Lorenzo Nardo, Alexandra S. Gersing, Nancy E. Lane, Charles E. McCulloch, Ernst J. Rummeny, Thomas M. Link BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) injuries represent a major risk factor for early osteoarthritis (OA). PurposeTo evaluate the prevalence and 4-year progression of knee OA measured with 3T MR-imaging in individuals with ruptured, reconstructed or normal ACL and to assess the impact of thigh muscle characteristics. MethodsA total of 54 knees (23/54 male, 31/54 female) were recruited from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). At baseline, 15/54 subjects had prevalent ACL ruptures and 15/54 subjects had prevalent ACL reconstruction (24/54 normal ACL). Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, Physical Activity Scores of the Elderly (PASE) and thigh muscle characteristics including strength, fat infiltration (Goutallier score) and thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) MR measurements were obtained at baseline. Whole-organ MR-imaging Scores (WORMS) were obtained at baseline and at a 4-year follow-up time-point. Multivariate regression models, adjusting for covariates (age, gender, body mass index), were used for statistical analysis. ResultsAt baseline, subjects with prevalent ACL ruptures had worse WORMS total scores (mean ±SEM, 44.1±3.5) than subjects with ACL reconstruction (30.8±4.0; P = 0.015) and worse than subjects with normal ACL (21.3±3.0; P
Source: PLoS One - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research