Association of fibrosis in the infrapatellar fat pad and degenerative cartilage change of patellofemoral joint after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factor of cartilage degeneration of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) that was diagnosed by second-look arthroscopy. Methods One-hundred and seven patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were evaluated by preoperative MRI, postoperative MRI and second-look arthroscopy. Severity of infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) fibrosis was evaluated by MRI at an average of 26 months after ACL reconstruction. Cartilage degeneration was assessed by second-look arthroscopy at 29 months. Results Twenty-five patients (24.0%) showed cartilage degeneration of the PFJ in second-look arthroscopy. Patients were divided into three groups according to severity of IPFP fibrosis of postoperative MRI (i.e. Group A, focal and incomplete band fibrosis, n = 69; Group B, complete band fibrosis, n = 31; and Group C, diffuse and infiltrated fibrosis, n = 7). Cartilage degeneration of the PFJ was significantly worsened with more fibrosis formation of the IPFP (P < 0.001). Other factors for instabilities (BMI, age, concomitant meniscal procedure, time from injury to reconstruction, severity of IPFP fibrosis at preoperative MRI and clinical scores) were not correlated with cartilage degeneration of the PFJ. The multivariate logistic regression analysis of degeneration of the PFJ after ACL reconstruction identified more severe fibrosis tissue formation of the IPFP and initial cartilage defect as significant predictors. Conclusions More extensive fibrosis of the IPFP and initial cartilage defect may be related to further degenerative changes of the PFJ. Other factors did not affect cartilage degeneration of the PFJ, although the muscle strength, the individual activity level or the rehabilitation protocol was not evaluated in the short-term follow-up period.