Relationship between the trochlear groove angle and patellar cartilage morphology defined by 3D spoiled gradient-echo imaging

IntroductionElevated serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has been reported in established osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to determine whether serum levels of hsCRP are associated with the variation in tibial and patella cartilage volumes in women without evidence of OA.MethodsParticipants were recruited from a database established from the Australian electoral roll, and were aged 40 to 67 years, were not hysterectomized and had no significant knee pain or knee injury in the last 5 years. Tibial and patella cartilage volumes were measured from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of each woman's dominant knee and hsCRP measured in serum. Linear regression models were used to explore the major determinants of variation in both tibial and patella cartilage volume and to assess whether serum hsCRP made an independent contribution to variation in the volumes of cartilage in the two knee compartments.ResultsThe mean age of the 176 participants was 52.3 ± 6.6 years. Compared with a standard model for tibial cartilage volume that included bone area, age, smoking and alcohol status, the addition of an hsCRP term made an independent negative contribution to variation in tibial cartilage volume, irrespective of whether body mass index (BMI) was included in the model or not. By contrast, using a similar approach, hsCRP did not contribute independently to variation in patella cartilage volume.ConclusionIn asymptomatic women aged 40 to 67 years, serum hsCRP is independently negatively associated with the volume of tibial but not patella cartilage suggesting that subclinical inflammation may predispose to knee cartilage loss in the tibial compartment. This should be further assessed by a longitudinal study.

To determine the association of superolateral Hoffa's fat pad (SHFP) oedema and patellofemoral joint structural damage in participants of Foundation for the National Institute of Health Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Consortium study. Baseline and 24-month MRIs of 600 subjects were assessed. The presence of SHFP oedema (using 0-3 grading scale) and patellar morphology metrics were determined using baseline MRI. Quantitative patellar cartilage volume and semi-quantitative MRI osteoarthritis knee score (MOAKS) variables were extracted. The associations between SHFP oedema and patellar cartilage damage, bone marrow lesion (BML), osteophyte and morphology were evaluated in cross-sectional model. In longitudinal analysis, the associations between oedema and cartilage volume loss (defined using reliable change index) and MOAKS worsening were evaluated. In cross-sectional evaluations, the presence of SHFP oedema was associated with simultaneous lateral patellar cartilage/BML defects and inferior-medial patellar osteophyte size. A significant positive correlation between the degree of patella alta and SHFP oedema was detected (r = 0.259, p < 0.001). The presence of oedema was associated with 24-month cartilage volume loss (odds ratio (OR) 2.11, 95% confidence interval 1.46-3.06) and medial patellar BML size (OR 1.92 (1.15-3.21)) and number (OR 2.50 (1.29-4.88)) worsening. The optimal cut-off value for the grade of baseline SHFP oedema regarding both presence and worsening of patellar structural damage was ≥ 1 (presence of any SHFP hyperintensity). The presence of SHFP oedema could be considered as a predictor of future patellar cartilage loss and BML worsening, and an indicator of simultaneous cartilage, BML and osteophyte defects. • SHFP oedema was associated with simultaneous lateral patellar OA-related structural damage. • SHFP oedema was associated with longitudinal patellar cartilage loss over 24 months. • SHFP oedema could be considered as indicator and predictor of patellar OA.

Objectives: As the early form of OA is characterized by elevated water content in the cartilage tissue, the purpose of this study was to verify in vivo if age-related changes in patellar cartilage in healthy volunteers can be detected using quantitative MRI with T2 mapping and volume measurement MRI methods. Design: Thirty healthy volunteers of various classes of age (18 to 65 years old) were enrolled in this study. MR images of the patellar cartilage were acquired at 1.5T. Patellar cartilage volume and T2 maps were determined. Results: Despite non-significance, there was a trend in reducing cartilage volume with ageing (r: −0.25). In contrast global T2 slightly increased with ageing (r: 0.46). BMI (r: 0.51) and bone volume (r: 0.69) are well correlated to cartilage volume. Conclusion. Age-related physiologic changes in the water content of patellar cartilage can be detected using MRI. The proposed T2-mapping method, coupled with other non-invasive MR cartilage imaging techniques, could aid in the early diagnosis of OA.

SAT0323 Marked bilateral symmetricity of cartilage damage, bone marrow lesions and meniscal damage in subjects with knee pain and with or without radiographic osteoarthritis: The jog study

Occupational activity is associated with knee cartilage morphology in females

OP0130 Radiographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Markers Predict Cartilage Volume Loss and Knee Symptoms over 10.7 Years in Older Adults

Articular cartilage damage is frequently noted at the time of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and is associated with age and patellofemoral anatomy.

Background/aimEvaluating the relationship of patellar chondromalacia with obesity, infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) volume and popliteal artery intima-media thickness (IMT).Materials and methodsA total of 203 patients with different degree of patellar chondromalacia (103 male, 100 female) and 52 control subjects (19 male, 33 female) were included and grouped according to sex, age, body surface area (BSA), body mass index (BMI) and patellar chondromalacia classification. All measurements were completed with 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Articular cartilage and IFP volume were measured in saggital plane using double echo steady state (DESS) and DIXON sequences, respectively. Patellar cartilage damage was graded using modified outerbridge classification, and the relations among cartilage volume and BMI, BSA, IFP, IMT were statistically assessed.ResultsPopliteal artery IMT showed an independent association with the prevalence of cartilage defects and IFP volumes (P ˂ 0.001). There was an association between BMI and IFP volumes (P ˂ 0.001). However, no differences were observed between IFP volume and different chondromalacia groups. When IFP measurements were corrected using individual BMI and BSA values, a positive correlation was found between control and advanced chondromalacia groups (P ˂ 0.001).ConclusionThis study demonstrates the relationship among obesity, IMT and chondromalacia and highlights this potential circle to develop effective treatments and inhibit the progression of chondromalacia.

BackgroundT2* mapping provides objective data on chondromalacia. However, its reliability in evaluating both patellar and trochlear cartilages has not yet been established.PurposeTo evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of T2* mapping of patellar and trochlear cartilage in patients with patellofemoral maltracking, and to compare the reliability of axial and sagittal imaging planes for early detection of chondromalacia.Material and MethodsThis retrospective study included 106 knees from patients aged 18-40 years presenting with anterior knee pain and MRI evidence of patellofemoral malalignment between January 2023 and August 2025. T2* mapping was performed on a 3 T MRI scanner using standardized protocols. Patellar and trochlear cartilage were manually divided into 12 compartments in axial and sagittal planes. Regions of interest were placed manually, and T2* relaxation times were measured independently by a musculoskeletal radiologist and an orthopedic surgeon. Intra- and inter-observer reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).ResultsMost compartments demonstrated good-to-excellent intra- and inter-observer agreement (ICC ≥0.75), particularly in the upper and mid patellar cartilage zones. Axial-plane measurements consistently showed higher ICC values than sagittal-plane measurements. The lowest reliability was observed in lower cartilage zones and in sagittal-plane measurements. All results were statistically significant (P <0.001).ConclusionT2* mapping of the patellofemoral joint provides reliable measurements, with superior performance in the axial plane and in mid-upper zones. Routine use of axial-plane T2* mapping may facilitate early detection of chondromalacia in young adults with anterior knee pain, potentially improving clinical decision-making and preventing irreversible cartilage damage.

To explore the clinical curative effect of soft tissue wire rivet for the treatment of fracture of patella cartilage. A retrospective study was conducted in 25 patients(25 knees) from June 2015 to February 2017 in patients with patellar cartilage fractures. Among them, 19 were male, 6 were female, 11 were left knee, 14 were right knee. The accident occurred in 2 cases, 23 cases of sprained athletes; the average age was(25.12±6.02) years old, the average weight was (62.48±7.91) kg, and the average body mass index was(23.25±1.51) kg/m². The average time from injury to admission was (1.96±1.51) d. The clinical manifestations were swelling of knee joint, positive floating patella sign, severe pain, occasional joint strangulation, limited flexion and extension, obvious tenderness of lateral patella, positive patellar extrapolation test and positive extrapolation fear test. X-ray and CT examination were performed before operation. X-ray showed the continuity of patellar bone and a loose body in the joint cavity. CT and 3D reconstruction showed patellar cartilage and facial defects. All 25 patients were fixed with soft tissue wire rivet. The clinical efficacy included preoperative Lysholm score and Insall evaluation. All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 3 to 15 months, with an average of(9.72±4.07) months. The preoperative Lysholm score was 60.32±5.08, and the final follow-up was 88.24±4.37. The postoperative score was better than that before operation(t=-22.926, P<0.05). According to Insall criteria, 21 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, no fracture fragments were found and knee joint adhesion was found. Six weeks after operation, X-ray and CT showed that the fracture was well positioned, the cartilage surface was smooth without obvious steps, and the patella was in good shape. MRI showed the smooth articular surface of patellar cartilage at the 6th month after operation. Soft tissue wire rivet for the treatment of massive patellar cartilage fracture has the advantages of simple operation, rapid postoperative recovery, no need for secondary operation pain, fewer complications, and definite effect, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

PurposePatellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial as recent meta-analyses have not shown its clear superiority; however, most authors recommend it because it is associated with less frequent anterior knee pain and need for reoperation. We aimed to clarify the changes in patellar cartilage thickness in no patellar resurfacing TKA using a ceramic femoral component on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsBetween 2009 and 2014, 40 consecutive patients (59 knees) were included in this study. All patients underwent TKA using zirconia ceramic femoral implants without patellar resurfacing. Indications for no patellar resurfacing TKA were absence of anterior knee pain, patellar compression pain, and osteoarthritic changes in the patellofemoral joint on plain radiography. The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 81.5 months (range, 25–131 months). Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed preoperatively and 5 years after TKA. Patellar cartilage thickness was evaluated preoperatively and every year for 5 years after TKA using MRI T2-weighted imaging. The patellar cartilage was divided into three regions of interest: medial, central, and lateral. To standardise the variation in patellar thickness among patients, the percent cartilage thickness was calculated.ResultsThe implant’s position was appropriate in all cases. Compared to preoperative scores, 5 years postoperatively, the Japanese Orthopedic Association score and Oxford knee score significantly improved from 52.1 to 84.7; mean tilting angle and congruence angle did not change significantly; mean lateral shift ratio significantly increased from 7.1% to 14.6%; cartilage thickness significantly decreased (P < 0.05); and the percentage cartilage thickness of the central, medial, and lateral cartilage zones gradually thinned to less than half. Four patients underwent conversion to patellar resurfacing due to anterior knee pain, without loosening the femoral and tibial implants.ConclusionThe patellar cartilage thickness decreased to less than half its preoperative level within 5 years after no patellar resurfacing TKA; this would led to clinical problems and conversion to patellar resurfacing.Level of evidenceLevel III.

Bilaminar pattern of tibial condyle cartilage layer on the fat-suppressed 3D gradient echo images: artifact or structural and biochemical difference in composition of cartilage?

Patellofemoral pain patients show differences in 3D patellar shape compared to healthy control subjects

Knee Evaluations

To describe the differences in knee structure and non-knee structural factors between offspring having at least one parent with a total knee replacement for severe primary knee osteoarthritis and age- and sex-matched controls with no family history of knee osteoarthritis, a population-based longitudinal study of 163 matched pairs (mean age 45 years, range 26 to 61) was performed at baseline and about 2 years later. Knee cartilage defect score (0 to 4), cartilage volume and bone size were determined with T1-weighted fat saturation magnetic resonance imaging. Body mass index (BMI), lower-limb muscle strength, knee pain, physical work capacity at 170 beats/minute (PWC170) and radiographic osteoarthritis were measured by standard protocols. In comparison with controls, offspring had higher annual knee cartilage loss (-3.1% versus -2.0% at medial tibial site, -1.9% versus -1.1% at lateral tibial site and -4.7% versus -3.7% at patellar site, all P < 0.05), a greater increase in medial cartilage defect score (+0.15 versus -0.01, P < 0.05) and a greater decline in PWC170 (-0.7 watts/kg versus -0.4 watts/kg, P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in change in BMI, lower-limb muscle strength, knee pain or tibial bone area between these two groups; however, the differences in knee cartilage loss and cartilage defect change decreased in magnitude and became non-significant after adjustment for baseline cartilage volume, tibial bone area, BMI and knee pain. This longitudinal study suggests that knee cartilage loss, change in cartilage defects and decrease in physical fitness all have roles in the development of knee osteoarthritis, which is most probably polygenic but may reflect a shared environment. Importantly, the cartilage changes are largely dependent on baseline differences in cartilage volume, tibial bone area, BMI and knee pain, suggesting that these factors might have a role in their initiation.