Abstract
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are common injuries that if left untreated
can result in chronic instability, cartilage damage, meniscal tears, and ligamentous
injuries, eventually leading to early osteoarthritis. ACL reconstruction surgeries
are therefore increasingly being performed. Despite the fact that most patients achieve
excellent postoperative results, patients can present with recurrent instability and
pain. These patients often undergo imaging with radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging,
and/or computed tomography. An understanding of the imaging appearance of the normal
ACL reconstruction and common causes of failure is therefore essential for the interpreting
radiologist. This article reviews surgical techniques for ACL reconstruction, highlighting
recent technical advances, the normal imaging appearance after ACL reconstruction,
etiologies for reconstruction failure, and the diagnosis of these with the aid of
imaging.
Keywords
ACL reconstruction - ACL reconstruction complications - ACL reconstruction MRI - ACL
graft tear
