Association of Infrapatellar Fat Pad Fibrosis at 3 Months After ACL Reconstruction With Short-term Clinical Outcomes and Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in the Synovial Fluid.

Background: Infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) fibrosis is reportedly associated with anterior knee pain and the progression of patellofemoral osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, causes of IFP fibrosis after ACLR have not been sufficiently investigated.

Purpose: To compare the descriptive characteristics, clinical outcomes, and inflammatory cytokine levels in the synovial fluid between patients who underwent ACLR with versus without severe IFP fibrosis.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: Patients who underwent primary ACLR using autologous hamstring tendon were divided into 2 groups based on magnetic resonance imaging IFP fibrosis scoring (grades 0-5) at 3 months after surgery: the severe fibrosis group (grades 4 and 5) and mild fibrosis group (grades 0-3). Synovial fluid was aspirated on postoperative day 3 or 4 to measure inflammatory cytokine levels. Patient characteristics, clinical outcomes at 3 and 12 months after surgery, and inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ) levels were compared between the groups.

Results: Of the 36 patients included, 7 were allocated to the severe fibrosis group and 29 were allocated to the mild fibrosis group. The severe fibrosis group had a significantly longer operation time (153.0 vs 116.5 minutes for mild fibrosis; = .007). Compared with the mild fibrosis group, the severe fibrosis group had greater pain during stair climbing (2.0 vs 0.7; = .01) and a lower extension muscle strength ratio (operated/healthy side, 52.9% vs 76.1%; < .001) at 3 months, and the severe fibrosis group had a lower Lysholm score (93.7 vs 97.3; = .026) and greater knee extension (0.3° vs 1.9°; = .043) and flexion angle restriction (142.9° vs 149.0°; = .013) at 12 months. The severe fibrosis group demonstrated higher IL-1β (2.6 vs 1.4 pg/mL; = .022), IL-6 (2.0 vs 1.1 ng/mL; = .029), and interferon-γ levels (11.3 vs 4.0 pg/mL; = .044).

Conclusion: Severe IFP fibrosis was associated with a longer operation time, higher inflammatory cytokine level in the synovial fluid, and worse clinical outcomes at 3 and 12 months after ACLR.