T1rho and UTE T2* mapping of knee articular cartilage following ACL injury: Effects of sex and concomitant lateral meniscus injury

This study examined how sex and lateral meniscus injury influence early tibiofemoral cartilage changes after ACL injury. Pre-op MRIs were analyzed using T1rho and UTE T2* relaxation maps. Females showed increased T1rho in tibial cartilage, while males had increases in femoral cartilage. Additionally, UTE T2* was higher in the superficial lateral femoral compartment with concomitant meniscus tears, especially in females. Deep tibial UTE T2* increased in females but not males. Findings suggest sex and injury severity aNect early cartilage adaptation, highlighting mechanisms of post-injury changes and informing interventions to prevent post-traumatic osteoarthritis.