Knee Crepitus After ACL Reconstruction Tied to Cartilage Defects
Knee crepitus at 1 year post-ACLR was linked to full-thickness patellofemoral cartilage defects but not a greater risk for worsening OA features over 5 years.
Self-reported knee crepitus 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is linked to full-thickness patellofemoral cartilage defects but does not predict worsening osteoarthritis (OA) features over 5 years, according to study findings published in Arthritis Care & Research.
Prior cross-sectional studies have associated knee crepitus with cartilage lesions, osteophytes, and bone marrow lesions, but its prognostic value in OA remains unclear.
Despite the higher risk for early-onset OA found among young adults recovering from traumatic knee injuries, the clinical relevance of crepitus in this population has not been well established.
To address this gap, researchers conducted a secondary analysis of the Knee Osteoarthritis Anterior Cruciate Ligament Longitudinal Assessment study.
Author's summary: ACLR study reveals knee crepitus link to cartilage defects.