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Objective: To longitudinally monitor remodeling of human autograft following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with DTI., Methods: Twenty-eight patients underwent DTI follow-up at 3, 8, and 14 months after clinically successful ACL reconstruction with tendon autograft. Among these, 18 patients had a concomitant lateral extra-articular procedure (LET). DTI data from 7 healthy volunteers was also obtained. Diffusion parameters (fractional anisotropy, FA; mean diffusivity, MD; axial diffusivity, AD; and radial diffusivity, RD) were evaluated within the fiber tractography volumes of the ACL graft and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in all patients. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model with post hoc testing using Bonferroni-Holm correction for multiple testing. The effect of additional LET was studied., Results: The ACL graft showed a significant decrease of FA over time (F = 4.00, p = 0.025), while the diffusivities did not significantly change over time. For PCL there were no significant DTI changes over time. A different evolution over time between patients with and without LET was noted for all diffusivity values of the ACL graft with reduced AD values in patients with LET at 8 months postoperatively (p = 0.048; adjusted p = 0.387). DTI metrics of the ACL graft differed largely from both native ACL and tendon at 14 months postoperatively., Conclusion: Our study has shown the potential of DTI to longitudinally monitor the remodeling process in human ACL reconstruction. DTI analysis indicates that graft remodeling is incomplete at 14 months postoperatively., Key Points: • DTI can be used to longitudinally monitor the remodeling process in human ACL reconstruction. • DTI analysis indicates that autograft remodeling is incomplete at 14 months postoperatively. • DTI may be helpful for evaluating new ACL treatments.

Purpose: This paper describes technical difficulties and outcomes for the first 15 patients treated with Dynamic Intraligamentary Stabilization (DIS) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair., Methods: The first 15 patients treated with DIS were included. To optimize the inclusion process, a new pre-operative pathway was developed. All intra-operative technical problems were recorded. During the 2-year follow-up period, patient-related outcome measures, return to work, anterior-posterior knee laxity using a Rolimeter and ACL healing as revealed by MRI follow-up scans were recorded., Results: During 11 DIS procedures, 15 technical problems were encountered. Six were surgeon-related and 9 were material-related. All problems were resolved intra-operatively. Repeat surgery was performed in 4 patients due to arthrofibrosis and in 1 due to a cyclops lesion. The DIS implant was removed in all 5 patients. According to the Tegner score, 7 of 10 (70%) patients returned to the pre-injury level of sporting activity within 6 months. The mean return to work time was 5.4 (SD 3.6) weeks. On MRI, 10 patients showed normal ACL healing (Grade 1) and 3 showed a high repair signal intensity (Grade 2). Although 2 patients showed no signs of ACL healing on MRI (Grade 3), no instability was reported or measured post-operatively or after the DIS implant was removed., Conclusion: All intra-operative technical problems were resolved and did not lead to conversion to ACL reconstruction. We share tips and tricks that could assist surgeons who are just starting to use the DIS technique.

The aim of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is to restore normal function of the knee, but unfortunately abnormal kinematics and a predisposition to knee osteoarthritis occur in a significant percentage of patients. So there is an ongoing need to improve treatment options and long-term outcome of patients with a ruptured ACL. With the recent advancements in the field of ACL tissue engineering, the focus of treatment for ACL injuries is changing from resection and reconstruction toward repair and regeneration. Several new ACL repair methods were recently introduced as an alternative to traditional ACL reconstructive procedures. Radiologists must become familiar with these new surgical methods to interpret their appearance correctly on postoperative imaging studies. This article provides an overview of the latest advancements in ACL surgical methods and discusses the role of imaging to assess the postoperative ACL including both standard and advanced imaging methods., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

The anterolateral ligament (ALL) was recently identified as a distinct component of the anterolateral capsule of the human knee joint with consistent origin and insertion sites. Biomechanical studies revealed that the current association between the pivot shift and an injured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) should be loosened and that the rotational component of the pivot shift is significantly affected by the ALL. This may change the clinical approach toward ACL-injured patients presenting with anterolateral rotatory instability (ALRI), the most common instability pattern after ACL rupture. Radiologists should be aware of the importance of the ALL to ACL injuries. They should not overlook pathology of the anterolateral knee structures, including the ALL, when reviewing MR images of the ACL-deficient knee. In this article, the current knowledge regarding the anatomy, biomechanical function, and imaging appearance of the ALL of the knee is discussed with emphasis on the clinical implications of these findings., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)