If your ACL needs surgical treatment, consult the best ACL surgeon in Jaipur. For a graft-free option, learn about Jewel ACL reconstruction.
Mucoid degeneration of ACL is a disease affecting ACL in which mucoid like substance (glycosaminoglycans) gets interspersed within the substance of ACL and as a result ACL gets thickened. Every time when patient flexes the knee, thickened ACL impinges over posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in the knee, causing knee pain and limited motion. Once considered a rare disease, it is probably a less diagnosed condition of knee pain.
Signs and symptoms: It usually affects middle aged and elderly people. Main symptoms are pain during terminal knee flexion (as in squatting) feeling of heaviness/tiredness in the knee. Some patient may also complain of pain with full knee extension. “My knee pains while I sit on the floor” or “its difficult for me to stand or walk for a long time” or “I find its difficult to descend the stairs” or “my knee gets tired easily these days” are the usual complaints.
Usually there is no history of any significant trauma.
Diagnosis is usually made on the MRI. It can be misdiagnosed a partial ACL tear.
Treatment: For symptomatic knees surgical debulking /debridement in which thickened part of the ACL is shaved off, is the treatment of choice. This is done arthroscopically (arthroscopic/key hole surgery). After surgery patient is allowed to walk from the next day. Patient is advised to do exercises to get movement and strength again following surgery.
Mucoid Degeneration of ACL: FAQs
What is mucoid degeneration of the ACL?
It is a condition where a mucoid-like substance (glycosaminoglycans) gets interspersed within the ACL, thickening it. The thickened ACL impinges on the PCL during knee flexion, causing knee pain and limited motion. Once thought rare, it is now considered an under-diagnosed cause of knee pain.
What are the symptoms?
It usually affects middle-aged and elderly people. Common complaints are pain during terminal knee flexion (such as squatting), a feeling of heaviness or tiredness in the knee, pain on full extension, and difficulty descending stairs. Usually there is no history of significant trauma.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually made on MRI. It can be misdiagnosed as a partial ACL tear, so an experienced knee specialist's assessment is important.
What is the treatment for mucoid degeneration of the ACL?
For symptomatic knees, arthroscopic debulking/debridement, where the thickened part of the ACL is shaved off, is the treatment of choice. It is keyhole surgery, patients walk from the next day, and exercises restore movement and strength.
Who treats mucoid degeneration of the ACL in Jaipur?
Dr. Jitesh Jain, an arthroscopic and sports medicine surgeon at Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur, treats it arthroscopically. Share your MRI on WhatsApp for a personal review.