Persistent magnetic resonance imaging‐derived static anterior tibial translation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is associated with elevated cartilage T2 relaxation times but not serum biomarkers
Randomized trial finds that changes in anterior tibial translation are linked to cartilage health in ACL injury.
Key Points
This study aims to explore the relationship between persistent static anterior tibial translation and early osteoarthritis indicators following ACL reconstruction.
Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of 29 participants with ACL injury preoperatively and 6 months post-ACLR.
Used magnetic resonance imaging to measure static anterior tibial translation and assess cartilage T2 relaxation times.
Analyzed serum biomarkers of cartilage degradation and bone resorption pre-ACLR and at 6 months.
Static anterior tibial translation was significantly greater in the injured knee compared to the uninjured knee at 6 months (p < 0.001, average difference of 1.6 ± -2.1 mm).
Increased difference in static anterior tibial translation correlated with elevated T2 relaxation times in the anterior lateral (r = 0.386, p = 0.038) and medial (r = 0.426, p = 0.021) femoral condyles.
No significant associations were found between static anterior tibial translation and serum biomarker levels (p > 0.05).
Cite This Study
Romero‐Padron et al. (2026) studied this question.