Early Imaging Biomarkers of Cartilage Strain After ACL Reconstruction Predict Patient Pain and Altered Knee Loading

Cartilage strain and T1ρ changes associate with pain and altered loading patterns, suggesting potential as early post-traumatic osteoarthritis markers. The observed links between knee loading patterns and cartilage structural changes highlight beneficial adaptation of the reconstructed knee to mechanical loading, and potential avenues for early therapeutic (gait-modifiable) intervention. Advanced MRI may enable early identification of at-risk patients following ACL reconstruction.