Evolving cartilage strain with pain progression and gait: a longitudinal study post-ACL reconstruction at six and twelve months

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are prevalent musculoskeletal conditions often resulting in long-term degenerative outcomes such as osteoarthritis (OA). Despite surgical advances in ACL reconstruction, a significant number of patients develop OA within ten years post-surgery, providing a patient population that may present early markers of cartilage degeneration detectable using noninvasive imaging. PurposeThis study aims to investigate the temporal evolution of cartilage strain and relaxometry post-ACL reconstruction using displacement under applied loading MRI and quantitative MRI. Specifically, we examined the correlations between MRI metrics and pain, as well as knee loading patterns during gait, to identify early candidate markers of cartilage degeneration. Materials and MethodsTwenty-five participants (female/male = 15/10; average age = 25.6 yrs) undergoing ACL reconstruction were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal cohort study between 2022 and 2023. MRI scans were conducted at 6- and 12-months post-surgery, assessing T2, T2*, and T1{rho} relaxometry values, and intratissue cartilage strain. Changes in pain were evaluated using standard outcome scores, and gait analysis assessed the knee adduction moment (KAM). Regressions were performed to evaluate relationships between MRI metrics in cartilage contact regions, patient-reported pain, and knee loading metrics. ResultsIncreases in axial and transverse strains in the tibial cartilage were significantly correlated with increased pain, while decreases in shear strain were associated with increased pain. Changes in strain metrics were also significantly related to KAM at12 months. ConclusionsChanges in cartilage strain and relaxometry are related to heightened pain and altered knee loading patterns, indicating potential early markers of osteoarthritis progression. These findings underscore the importance of using advanced MRI for early monitoring in ACL-reconstructed patients to optimize treatment outcomes, while also highlighting KAM as a modifiable intervention through gait retraining that may positively impact the evolution of cartilage health and patient pain. Key ResultsO_LIIncreased axial and transverse strains in the tibial cartilage from 6 to 12 months post-ACL reconstruction were significantly correlated with increased pain, suggesting evolving changes in cartilage biomechanical properties over time. C_LIO_LIDecreases in shear strain in inner femoral and central tibial cartilage regions were linked to increased pain, indicating alterations in joint loading patterns. C_LIO_LIDecreases in shear strain in the inner femoral cartilage were significantly associated with decreased 12-month knee adduction moment (KAM), a surrogate for medial cartilage knee loading during walking. C_LI