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The MARS Group* Background: Osteoarthritis of the knee is commonly diagnosed and monitored with radiography. However, the reliability of radiographic classification systems for osteoarthritis and the correlation of these classifications with the actual degree of confirmed degeneration of the articular cartilage of the tibiofemoral joint have not been adequately studied.Methods: As the Multicenter ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Revision Study (MARS) Group, we conducted a multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study of patients undergoing revision surgery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We followed 632 patients who underwent radiographic evaluation of the knee (an anteroposterior weight-bearing radiograph, a posteroanterior weight-bearing radiograph made with the knee in 45°of flexion [Rosenberg radiograph], or both) and arthroscopic evaluation of the articular surfaces. Three blinded examiners independently graded radiographic findings according to six commonly used systems-the Kellgren-Lawrence, International Knee Documentation Committee, Fairbank, Brandt et al., Ahlbäck, and Jäger-Wirth classifications. Interobserver reliability was assessed with use of the intraclass correlation coefficient. The association between radiographic classification and arthroscopic findings of tibiofemoral chondral disease was assessed with use of the Spearman correlation coefficient.Results: Overall, 45°posteroanterior flexion weight-bearing radiographs had higher interobserver reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 0.65) compared with anteroposterior radiographs (intraclass continued

Background Most surgeons believe that graft choice for ACL reconstruction is an important factor related to outcome. Although graft choice may be limited in the revision setting based on previously used grafts, it is still felt to be important. Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to determine if revision ACL graft choice predicts outcomes related to sports function, activity level, OA symptoms, graft re-rupture, and reoperation at two years following revision reconstruction. We hypothesized that autograft use would result in increased sports function, increased activity level, and decreased OA symptoms (as measured by validated patient reported outcome instruments). Additionally, we hypothesized that autograft use would result in decreased graft failure and reoperation rate 2 years following revision ACL reconstruction. Study Design Prospective cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods Revision ACL reconstruction patients were identified and prospectively enrolled by 83 surgeons over 52 sites. Data collected included baseline demographics, surgical technique and pathology, and a series of validated patient reported outcome instruments (IKDC, KOOS, WOMAC, and Marx activity rating score). Patients were followed up at 2 years, and asked to complete the identical set of outcome instruments. Incidence of additional surgery and reoperation due to graft failure were also recorded. Multivariate regression models were used to determine the predictors (risk factors) of IKDC, KOOS, WOMAC, Marx scores, graft re-rupture, and reoperation rate at 2 years following revision surgery. Results 1205 patients were successfully enrolled with 697 (58%) males. Median age was 26. In 88% this was their first revision. 341 (28%) were undergoing revision by the surgeon that had performed the previous reconstruction. 583 (48%) underwent revision reconstruction utilizing an autograft, 590 (49%) allograft, and 32 (3%) both autograft and allograft. Median time since their last ACL reconstruction was 3.4 years. Questionnaire follow-up was obtained on 989 subjects (82%), while phone follow-up was obtained on 1112 subjects (92%). The IKDC, KOOS, and WOMAC scores (with the exception of the WOMAC stiffness subscale) all significantly improved at the two year follow-up time point (p<0.001). In contrast, the two year MARX activity scale demonstrated a significant decrease from the initial score at enrollment (p<0.001). Graft choice proved to be a significant predictor of 2 year IKDC scores (p=0.017). Specifically, the use of an autograft for revision reconstruction predicted improved score on the IKDC [p=0.045; Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.31; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.01, 1.70]. The use of an autograft predicted an improved on the KOOS subscale Sports and Recreation (p=0.037; OR=1.33; 95% CI=1.02, 1.73). Use of an autograft also predicted improved scores on the KOOS subscale Quality of Life (QOL) (p=0.031; OR=1.33; 95% CI=1.03, 1.73). For the KOOS Symptoms and ADL subscales, graft choice did not predict outcome score. Graft choice als...

Background Knees undergoing revision ACL reconstruction (rACLR) have a high prevalence of articular cartilage lesions. Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the prevalence of chondrosis at the time of rACLR is associated with meniscus status and lower extremity alignment. Study design Cross sectional study. Methods Data from the prospective Multicenter ACL Revision Study (MARS) cohort was reviewed to identify patients with pre-operative lower extremity alignment films. Lower extremity alignment was defined by the weight bearing line (WBL) as a percentage of the tibial plateau width, while the chondral and meniscal status of each weight bearing compartment was recorded at the time of surgery. Multivariable proportional odds models were constructed and adjusted for relevant factors in order to examine which risk factors were independently associated with the degree of medial and lateral compartment chondrosis. Results The cohort included 246 patients with lower extremity alignment films at the time of rACLR. Average (SD) patient age was 26.9 (9.5) years with a BMI of 26.4 (4.6). The medial compartment had more chondrosis (Grade 2/3: 42%, Grade 4: 6.5%) than the lateral compartment (Grade 2/3: 26%, Grade 4: 6.5%). Disruption of the meniscus was noted in 35% of patients on the medial side and 16% in the lateral side. The average (SD) WBL was measured to be 0.43 (0.13). Medial compartment chondrosis was associated with BMI (p=0.025), alignment (p=0.002), and medial meniscus status (p=0.001). None of the knees with the WBL lateral to 0.625 had Grade 4 chondrosis in the medial compartment. Lateral compartment chondrosis was significantly associated with age (p=0.013) and lateral meniscus status (p<0.001). Subjects with ‘intact’ menisci were found to decrease their odds of having chondrosis by 64–84%. Conclusions The status of articular cartilage in the tibiofemoral compartments at the time of rACLR is related to meniscal status. Lower extremity alignment and BMI are associated with medial compartment chondrosis. Clinical relevance Providers and patients should be aware of the association of meniscal integrity, alignment and BMI with chondrosis at the time of rACLR. Further research into the potential benefits of interventions to optimize these parameters is warranted.

Background Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been documented to have worse outcomes compared to primary ACL reconstructions. The purpose of this study was to determine if the prevalence, location and/or degree of meniscal and chondral damage noted at the time of revision ACL reconstruction predicts activity level, sports function, and osteoarthritis symptoms at two-year follow-up. Hypothesis The hypothesis is that meniscal loss and high grade chondral damage noted at the time of revision ACL reconstruction will result in lower activity levels, decreased sports participation, more pain, more stiffness and more functional limitation at two years following revision surgery. Study Design Cohort Study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods Between 2006 and 2011, 1205 patients who underwent revision ACL reconstruction by 83 surgeons at 52 hospitals were accumulated for study of the relationship of meniscal pathology and articular cartilage pathology to outcome. Baseline demographic and intraoperative data, including the IKDC subjective knee evaluation, KOOS, WOMAC and Marx activity score were collected initially and at two years follow-up to test the hypothesis. Regression analysis was used to control for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, activity level, baseline outcome scores, revision number, time since last ACL reconstruction, incidence of having a previous ACL reconstruction on the contralateral knee, previous and current meniscal and articular cartilage pathology, graft choice, and surgeon years of experience, in order to assess the meniscal and articular cartilage pathology risk factors for clinical outcomes two years after revision ACL reconstruction. Results At two years follow-up 82% (989/1205) of the patients returned their questionnaires. It was found that previous meniscal pathology and current articular cartilage pathology were associated with the poorest outcomes, with prior lateral meniscectomy and current grade III–IV trochlear articular cartilage changes having the worst outcome scores. Activity levels at two years were not affected by meniscal or articular cartilage pathology. Conclusions Prior lateral meniscectomy and current grade III–IV changes of the trochlea are associated with worse outcomes in terms of decreased sports participation, more pain, more stiffness and more functional limitation at two years following revision surgery, but had no effect on activity levels. Clinical Relevance This study emphasizes the importance of the lateral meniscus, particularly in the presence of an ACL injury. Preservation of this structure should be one of the highest priorities during reconstructive surgery. Grade III–IV changes in the trochlea also has severe detrimental effects on the outcome of revision ACL reconstruction and measures need to be employed to prevent conditions that bring out deterioration of the trochlear cartilage.