Study: People Tearing An Anterior Cruciate Ligament Usually Develop Knee Osteoarthritis

People who suffer an anterior cruciate ligament tear usually have knee osteoarthritis years after their injury, according to a study reported in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

Researchers from Lund University Hospital and the Hospital of Helsingborg in Sweden evaluated the consequences of an anterior cruciate ligament tear in a group of male soccer players some 14 years after their injuries with respect to knee osteoarthritis.

The study involved 219 players who suffered such an injury in 1986. Of those, 122 consented to weight bearing radiographs 14 years after their injury.

The researchers discovered a high prevalence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis in the players. Specifically, radiographic changes were found in 78 percent of the injured knees. No differences were seen between surgically and conservatively treated players. Eighty percent of the patients reported reduced activity level.

"The injury and the osteoarthritis, irrespective of the treatment provided to these patients, often result in knee related symptoms that severely affect the knee related quality of life by middle age," concluded the researchers.

Other sources: Annals of Rheumatic Diseases 2004 Mar;63(3):269-7