Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation after re-notchplasty at second-look arthroscopy.

Abstract

To clarify the effects of re-notchplasty on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Observational cohort study. Twenty-one patients who underwent re-notchplasty at second-look arthroscopy were examined. The MRI findings of the reconstructed ACL were classified as having either high, intermediate, or low intensity based on the clarity of appearance. The impinged group at second-look arthroscopy underwent re-notchplasty. Twelve patients continued to show a high signal intensity that did not decrease after re-notchplasty at the second-look operation. In contrast, 9 impinged ACL grafts showed a decreased signal intensity of the graft after re-notchplasty. In this study, 9 cases showed a decreased intensity and were considered to have an impingement at the notch, which thus influenced the maturity process by decreasing the compression on the reconstructed ACL.