Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Mucoid Degeneration

Original Editor - User: Keta Parikh Top Contributors - Keta Parikh, Kim Jackson and Leana Louw

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Lig 5e4e49f37ddff80480a405a890a55e55ef8b9484.jpg

Anterior Cruciate Ligament, is an important structure of the knee joint. Anatomically, it is arranged in a crossed pattern with the Posterior Cruciate Ligament, forming an 'X', therefore, it is also known as cruciform ligament. This ligament consists of two fibers, mainly, the anterio-medial and postero-lateral fibers, respectively. The ligament is mainly responsible for restraining anterior translation of knee. Along with that, it also controls the internal rotation. Therefore, Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear is more susceptible during any injury to the knee. The cruciate ligament have mechanoreceptors, which are responsible to detect any change in position of the knee, direction, speed and tension. It is lined by the synovial fluid, which provides the nutrition and plays an integral part in healing.

What is Anterior Cruciate Ligament Mucoid Degeneration?[edit | edit source]

This is a rare pathological condition, in which, there is increased signal from within the ligament. Mucoid degeneration, is the irreversible degeneration of the tissue with the infiltration of mucin(glycosaminoglycans) within the fibers[1][2]. Multiple theories have been put forth that explains the pathological disorganization in the collagen fibers of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, such as synovial, traumatic, and degenerative, "Synovial” theory- states that there is accumulation of synovial fluid inside the substance of ACL in a herniated pouch of synovium. "Traumatic” theory - post injury, ACL fibroblasts secrete glycosaminoglycans, the mucin substance within the ACL. Other theories include “Degenerative” theory- MD could occur due to ageing.[3] 

Clinical Findings[edit | edit source]

  • Painful terminal knee flexion[2][3]
  • Stiffness[2]
  • No instability[2][3]
  • No extension block[3]
  • Joint line tenderness[3]
  • Swelling[3]
  • Crepitation[3]
  • Posterior knee pain[3][4]
  • Difficulty in climbing stairs, cross-leg sitting, squatting[5]

Causes[edit | edit source]

  • Acute/Repeated Trauma[4][6]
  • Ageing
  • Primary condition- Osteoarthritis, degenerative menisci, meniscal tear[3], Meniscectomy[4]

Complications[edit | edit source]

  • Impingement of the soft tissue in the vicinity[3]
  • Ganglionic cyst
  • Tendon tear/ Tendon rupture
Mucoid.jpg

Radiological Findings[edit | edit source]

MRI[edit | edit source]

  • Characteristic: "celery stalk" appearance,[4] reflects ACL degeneration.
  • Ligaments and tendons are accumulated by mucoid change might display a thickened and/or hypertrophied appearance, with an increase in signal intensity.[3][4]
  • Narrowing of the intercondylar notch[5]
  • Sometimes, it is mislead as ACL tear on MRI findings, hence requires probing and histopathology for definitive diagnosis.[3][4]

Arthroscopy[edit | edit source]

  • Arthroscopically ACL is intact but fibrillated, yellowish and hypertrophied, with interspersed yellowish mucinous material along the fibers, lack of synovial linning of the ACL[4]

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Conditions that resembles the clinical findings are:

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Conservative[edit | edit source]

NSAIDS and Physiotherapy[6]

Surgical[edit | edit source]

  1. Partial/Total ACL resection arthroscopically- There is marked improvement in the range and reduced posterior pain, but at the cost of increased post-operative knee laxity.[3][4][6]in some cases, and may lead to instability. The prognosis depends upon the age of the patient, and the associated injuries[2]
  2. Arthroscopic debridement[4]
  3. Notchplasty[3][6]

Postoperative Rehabilitation[edit | edit source]

  1. Wear knee brace[5]
  2. Initially, partial weightbearing is allowed.[5]
  3. ACL reconstruction rehabilitation protocol is followed.[3][5]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Palmer W, Bancroft L, Bonar F, Choi JA, Cotten A, Griffith JF, Robinson P, Pfirrmann CW. Glossary of terms for musculoskeletal radiology. Skeletal Radiology. 2020 Jun 2.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 el Kadi KI, Marcaillou F, Blanc S, Salloum B, Dimontagliari C, Boutayeb F. Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: a case report. Pan African Medical Journal. 2013;15(1).
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 Pandey, Vivek et al. “Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: Management and outcome.” Indian journal of orthopaedics vol. 48,2 (2014): 197-202. doi:10.4103/0019-5413.128765
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Lintz F, Pujol N, Dejour D, Boisrenoult P, Beaufils P. Anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration: selecting the best treatment option. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research. 2010 Jun 1;96(4):400-6.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Loganathan D, Soma Sundar S, Sundar S, Sahanand S, Rajan DV. Mucoid degenerated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) managed by arthroscopic ACL reconstruction: A case series. International Journal of Orthopaedics. 2018;4(4):875-80.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Lintz F, Pujol N, Boisrenoult P, Bargoin K, Beaufils P, Dejour D. Anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration: a review of the literature and management guidelines. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2011 Aug 1;19(8):1326-33.