MRI Review of ACLR With and Without Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis

MRI Review of ACLR With and Without Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis

The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the effect of lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction through evaluation of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This will be a single-center non-randomized controlled study. The study is comparing postoperative graft MRI findings in two cohorts: patients undergoing isolated ACLR and patients undergoing ACLR with lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET). Postoperative MRIs will be obtained at 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ACL deficient knee
• skeletally mature (as defined by closed growth plates on plain radiograph)
• at least 13 years of age
• less than 26 years of age
• not pregnant
• two or more of following criteria: competitive pivoting sport, grade 2 pivot shift or - greater, generalized ligament laxity (beighton score of 4 or greater )
• no concomitant lateral meniscus tear

Exclusion Criteria:

• knee with intact ACL
• skeletally immature (as defined by open physis on plain radiograph)
• less than two of following criteria: competitive pivoting sport, grade 2 pivot shift or - greater, generalized ligament laxity (beighton score of 4 or greater )
• pregnant
• less than 13 years of age
• older than age 25
• previous ACL repair
• concomitant lateral meniscus tear
• unable to speak english or perform informed consent
• multiligamentous knee injury (two or more ligaments requiring surgical attention)
• varus or valgus malalignment greater than 3 degrees