Description
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological change of the BTB graft after anatomical rectangular tunnel (ART) ACLR and to compare that with the native ACL. Post-operative MRIs after primary ART ACLR with a BTB graft were analyzed at 3 weeks (n=51), 6 months (n=48), and 1 year (n=40). The graft widths were measured on oblique sagittal (A-P width) and coronal (M-L width) planes along with the graft orientation, respectively. Native ACL widths were also measured in the same way on the MRIs from the normal volunteers (n=14). The widths were compared among the grafts at the three periods and the native ACLs. At 3 weeks after surgery, the graft widths were smaller than those of the native ACL. Thereafter, the graft widths increased and became equivalent to the native ACL at 1 year. In conclusion, the BTB grafts morphologically resembled the native ACL by 1 year after ART ACLR.
