JRPMS Vol 4, No 2, June 2020, p.35-37
doi: 10.22540/JRPMS-04-035
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Original Article
Remnant preserving anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: evaluation of early graft remodeling by magnetic resonance imaging
Stergios G. Papastergiou, Nikolaos Manidakis, Nikolaos Koukoulias, Eleni Melikidou, Ioannis Christou,
Georgios Nitis, Themistoklis Vampertzis
- Agios Pavlos General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament, Reconstruction, Augmentation, Remnant preservation, Remodeling
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the graft remodeling phase following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction augmentation with remnant preservation.
Methods: Between March and December 2018 19 patients underwent anatomic single bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstrings with preservation of the intact ligament fibres and the peri-ligamentous symovium when possible. All patients were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging at 2 and 4 months post-operatively. Patient demographics, percentage of intra-operative remnant preservation and graft magnetic signal intensity using the signal/noise quotient method were recorded.
Results: 12 patients were male and 7 were female with a mean age of 26. 5 years. A low signal intensity in the mid portion of the graft was observed in those patients where a larger percentage of the ligament and synovium was preserved at 2 months post-operatively. The signal intensity was even lower at the 4 month scan.
Conclusions: Remnant preserving anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction seems to lead to quicker graft remodeling as reflected in the post-operative magnetic resonance signal intensity. Graft revascularization and remodeling seem to correlate with the percentage of remnant preservation. These results support the use of fast-track rehabilitation protocols in this set of patients.