Body Mass Index Influences Tibiofemoral Cartilage Composition and Biochemistry in Individuals With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Context: A history of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and high body mass index (BMI) are strong risk factors for incident knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Limited research has evaluated the interaction between ACL injury and high BMI on early deleterious changes in cartilage health. Objective: To determine differences in T1ρ relaxation time and serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) concentration between individuals with high and normal BMI following an ACL injury. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A controlled laboratory setting. Patients or Other Participants: , n = 22, age: 21.1 ± 4.2 years, time between injury and visit: 3.3 ± 1.7 weeks) group based on their BMI. Main Outcome Measures: T1ρ relaxation time for the medial and lateral tibia (MTC and LTC) and femur for each participant, sCOMP concentrations, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Results: = .72). There were no differences in KOOS scores between groups. Conclusions: Overweight individuals experiencing primary ACL injuries exhibit higher T1ρ relaxation times in both their injured and uninjured limbs and sCOMP concentrations compared with normal-weight individuals with primary ACL injuries. Our findings indicate that BMI significantly impacts cartilage composition and biochemical changes associated with KOA development in individuals with ACL injuries within 3.5 weeks of injury.