Worsening Knee Osteoarthritis Features on Magnetic Resonance Imaging 1 to 5 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a well-established risk factor for the long-term development of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA). However, little is known about the early degenerative changes (ie, 25 kg/m²) was consistently associated with elevated odds (between 2- and 5-fold) of worsening patellofemoral and tibiofemoral OA features. High rates of degenerative changes occur in the first 5 years after ACLR, particularly the development and progression of patellofemoral cartilage defects. Older patients with a higher BMI may be at particular risk and should be educated about this risk.