Sufficient MRI graft structural integrity at 9 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft

Purpose To assess the MRI-measured structural integrity of hamstring autograft at 9 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted including 34 patients (mean age 36.8 ± 11.8 years; 73.5% males) who underwent ACLR with hamstring autograft. In addition, 36 patients (mean age 39.2 ± 10.5 years; 69.4% males) without any ACL injury were also reviewed and served as control group. The primary outcome used for examining graft maturity at 9 months after ACLR was the MRI-based signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) of reconstructed ACL. SNQ values were stratified into 3 different categories: excellent: