Application Value of MRI T2-mapping in Quantitative Assessment of Articular Cartilage Degeneration After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-5775.2025.06.018

Abstract：Objective: To explore the application value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2-mapping in the quantitative assessment of articular cartilage degeneration after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: A total of 98 patients with unilateral ACL injury who underwent ACL reconstruction at Puyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from April to November 2023 were selected as the study subjects. Twenty-eight patients who underwent surgery 3 months ago were set as Group B, 30 patients who underwent surgery 6 months ago were set as Group C, and 40 patients who underwent surgery 1 year ago were set as Group D. Another 25 individuals who underwent health check-ups at the same time were set as Group A. All study subjects underwent MRI T2-mapping scanning, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee evaluation form was used to assess the recovery of the knee joint after ACL reconstruction. The T2 values of articular cartilage in the knee joints of the four groups were compared, as well as the T2 values of articular cartilage in Groups B, C, and D after ACL reconstruction. Results: The T2 values of articular cartilage in the weight-bearing areas of the medial femoral condyle (FM), lateral femoral condyle (FL), and medial tibial plateau (TM) in Groups B, C, and D were higher than those in Group A. The T2 value of the FM weight-bearing area in Group D was higher than that in Group B. The T2 value of the FL weight-bearing area in Group C was higher than that in Group B. The T2 values of the TM area in Groups C and D were higher than those in Group B, with statistically significant differences (F=14.840, 4.323, 13.035, P<0.05). The IKDC scores of Groups B, C, and D showed a gradually increasing trend, with statistically significant differences (F=36.066, P=0.001). Conclusion: MRI T2-mapping can be used for the quantitative assessment of articular cartilage degeneration. In early follow-up, patients showed significant improvement in symptoms, but the knee joint still exhibited degeneration. Early meniscus plasty had almost no effect on articular cartilage degeneration.