An Abnormal Tibial Position Is Associated With Alterations in the Meniscal Matrix: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: An altered tibial position is still present despite anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. It has been demonstrated that an abnormal tibial position after an ACL injury may play a role in subsequent injuries to the meniscus, which can lead to early cartilage degeneration. PURPOSE: To determine changes in both the tibial position and the meniscal matrix present before and after ACL reconstruction as well as to evaluate the association between these 2 variables in ACL-injured knees 3 years after reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Bilateral knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 32 patients with unilateral ACL injuries was performed before reconstruction; 13 control participants also underwent MRI. Follow-up MRI was performed up to 3 years after surgery. Tibial position, internal tibial rotation, and T1ρ and T2 values of the menisci were calculated using an in-house MATLAB program. Student t tests and multiple linear regression were used to compare differences between injured, uninjured, and control knees as well as to assess correlations between the tibial position at 3 years and 3-year changes in quantitative MRI meniscal relaxation values. RESULTS: The tibial position of injured knees was more anterior than that of uninjured knees at baseline, 6 months, and 1, 2, and 3 years (P < .05 for all). The T1ρ and T2 values of the menisci of injured knees were greater than those of uninjured and control knees in the posterior lateral and posterior medial horns up to 1 and 2 years after surgery, respectively (P < .05 for all). The tibial position at 3 years was associated with increased T2 values from baseline to 3 years in the posterior medial horn (β = 0.397; P = .031) and anterior medial horn (β = 0.360; P = .040). CONCLUSION: Results of the current study indicate that there is a persistently altered tibial position after ACL reconstruction. Initial preoperative meniscal abnormalities show prolonged but gradual improvement. Additionally, correlations between the tibial position and changes in the medial meniscal matrix suggest that the tibial position may play a role in the increased susceptibility to medial meniscal tears seen after reconstruction. The development of newer surgical techniques must address a persistently altered tibial position. Quantitative MRI is an effective instrument to evaluate meniscal matrix changes and can serve as an early radiological tool for meniscal injuries.