Dynamic Changes Of Knee Joint Image Texture Feature And Physical Function After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes of the image texture feature of the knee joint and the physical function of the knee joint after anteriorcruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR).Methods Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)texture feature analysis and assessment of physical function were performed in 40 patients with ACLR.1)Image texture feature: MRI was performed on the affected side at 6 different time points,that is,before the operation,1 week,4 weeks,12 weeks,24 weeks and 48 weeks after the operation.A total of 7 regions of interest(ROI)were selected for quantitative texture analysis of the articular cartilage(AC)and subchondral bone(SB)regions,namely ROI1(medial femur SB region),ROI2(lateral femur SB region),ROI3(medial tibia SB region),ROI4(lateral tibia SB region),ROI5(the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus AC region),ROI6(the body of the meniscus AC region),and ROI7(the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus AC region).2)Physical function: the isometric strength of quadriceps femoris and hamstrings on both sides were evaluated 12 weeks,24 weeks and 48 weeks after the operation,respectively.Meanwhile,physical performance were assessed at the same time point,including 100-meter timed test(100MTT),timed up and go test(TUGT)and timed stair climb and descent test(SCDT).Results 1)Image texture feature: Wav En LH＿s-4 of ROI2,Teta2 of ROI4,Variance of ROI4,Teta2 of ROI6 and Skewness of ROI7 were significant different at different times points(P < 0.05).The other texture features were not significant different at different times points.2.Physical function evaluation: Isometric muscle strength: The healthy/affected side ratio of quadriceps femoris and hamstrings was significant different at different times points(P<0.05),of either quadriceps femoris or hamstrings,the isometric strength of the affected side increased with time.The value at the 48 weeks after operation was significant higher than that at the 12 weeks and at the 24 weeks after operation,respectively.Similarly,the physical performance increased with time,reflected by the gradually decreased time completing the 100 MTT,TUGT and SCDT,respectively.Conclusion MRI textural features of AC and SB in the knee joint changed with time in a local specific manner.The isometric strength of quadriceps femoris and hamstrings on the affected side increased significantly from 24 weeks after operation.In addition,the physical performance improved gradually from 12 weeks after operation...