Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan Identifies Five Causes Of Complications From ACL Reconstructive Surgery

Magnetic Resonance Imaging has identified five possible causes of patient complications from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery, according to a study performed at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA, and Sahlgrenska-Molndal University Hospital in Gothenborg, Sweden.

Sixteen patients with symptoms suggesting ACL reconstruction failure underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) three weeks to three years following surgery to possibly determine the cause(s) of their complications.

“Persistent pain is the most consistent patient complaint. Others complain of instability, joint swelling and infection,” said Claude Pierre-Jerome, MD, lead author of the study.

The study found that there were five possible causes of reconstruction failure and patient complication:

1. graft discontinuity (a tear or impingement in the graft, 5 knees),
2. inappropriate position of the femoral and/or tibial tunnel (graft will not function properly without proper tunnel positioning, 2 knees)
3. hardware failure (screws may not be in the right position, 3 knees),
4. infection (1 knee) and
5. intra-articular arthrofibrosis (affecting movement of the joint, 4 knees).

“These are only preliminary results for a much larger study,” said Dr. Pierre-Jerome.

Adapted from materials provided by American Roentgen Ray Society.