Patellofemoral Contact Forces and Knee Gait Mechanics 3 Months after ACL Reconstruction Are Associated with Cartilage Degradation 24 Months after Surgery

Authors

J. R. Williams, University of Delaware
Kelsey Neal, University of Delaware
Abdulmajeed Alfayyadh, University of Delaware
Jacob J. Capin, Marquette UniversityFollow
Ashutosh Khandha, University of Delaware
Kurt Manal, University of Delaware
Lynn Snyder-Mackler, University of Delaware
Thomas S. Buchanan, University of Delaware

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2023

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Osteoarthritis and Cartilege

Source ISSN

1063-4584

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.10.007

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate patellofemoral cartilage health, as assessed by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) T₂ relaxation times, 24-months after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and determine if they were associated with patellofemoral contact forces and knee mechanics during gait 3 months after surgery.

Design: Thirty individuals completed motion analysis during overground walking at a self-selected speed 3 months after ACLR. An EMG-driven neuromusculoskeletal model was used to determine muscle forces, which were then used in a previously described model to estimate patellofemoral contact forces. Biomechanical variables of interest included peak patellofemoral contact force, peak knee flexion angle and moment, and walking speed. These same participants underwent a sagittal bilateral T₂ mapping qMRI scan 24-months after surgery. T₂ relaxation times were estimated for both patellar and trochlear cartilage. Paired t-tests were used to compare T₂ relaxation times between limbs while Pearson correlations and linear regressions were utilized to assess the association between the biomechanical variables of interest and T₂ relaxation times.

Results: Prolonged involved limb trochlear T₂ relaxation times (vs uninvolved) were present 24-months after surgery, indicating worse cartilage health. No differences were detected in patellar cartilage. Significant negative associations were present within the involved limb for all the biomechanical variables of interest 3 months after ACLR and trochlear T₂ relaxation times at 24-months. No associations were found in patellar cartilage or within the uninvolved limb.

Conclusions: Altered involved limb trochlear cartilage health is present 24-months after ACLR and may be related to patellofemoral loading and other walking gait mechanics 3 months after surgery.

Comments

Accepted version. Osteoarthritis and Cartilege, Vol. 31, No. 1 (January 2023): 96-105. DOI. © 2023 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Williams, J. R.; Neal, Kelsey; Alfayyadh, Abdulmajeed; Capin, Jacob J.; Khandha, Ashutosh; Manal, Kurt; Snyder-Mackler, Lynn; and Buchanan, Thomas S., "Patellofemoral Contact Forces and Knee Gait Mechanics 3 Months after ACL Reconstruction Are Associated with Cartilage Degradation 24 Months after Surgery" (2023). Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications. 217.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/phys_therapy_fac/217