Effect of joint position and ligament tension on the MR signal intensity of the cruciate ligaments of the knee

✍ Scribed by Kevin L. Smith; John L. Daniels; Steven P. Arnoczky; Julie A. Dodds; Thomas G. Cooper; Alexander Gottschalk; Daniel A. Shaw

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 544 KB
• Volume: 4
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1053-1807
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.1880040613

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Six cadaveric lower extremities were imaged with T1‐weighted spin‐echo pulse sequences with the knees extended and flexed to 90°. Magnetic resonance signal intensities of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) were compared. Changing from extension to flexion resulted in decreased signal intensity in six of six ACLs and five of six PCLs. Two of the knees were then imaged with and without tension applied to the ACL. Both specimens showed a decrease in signal intensity with tension, followed by an increase in signal intensity with release of the tension. Finally, in three of the limbs the ACL was surgically reconstructed and then imaged with and without tension applied to the tension graft. Signal intensity decreased with tension and increased with release of the tension in all three specimens. Thus, joint position and changes in ligament tension affect the signal intensity of the ACL and PCL, generally resulting in a signal intensity decrease with tension.