Patellar ligament hypertrophy evaluated by MRI in a group of professional weightlifters

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate if perennial, professional weightlifting training, started at puberty lead to hypertrophy of the patellar ligament (PL). The knee examinations were performed with a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging system. The area of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the PL midsubstance was evaluated in T1-weighted images. A control group of 19 participants was also examined with the same protocol. Significant increase of the PL midregion CSA was observed in a group of weightlifters. The area of the PL midsubstance and the onset of training were very strongly, reversely correlated. This paper presents the first description of PL  midregion hypertrophy due to a professional weightlifting training initialised and continued from a pubertal spurt. The described overgrowth is more intensified than it has been reported for other parts of the patellar ligament. Moreover it has been observed in the region that is the least susceptible for injuries, which in other situation could have also led to increase volume of the patellar ligament. Described phenomenon should be considered by orthopaedic surgeons because it can influence the choice of the surgical technique for cruciate ligament reconstruction as the patellar ligament is one of the structures for harvesting autografts.