Abstract
Although conventional radiography is the most common method used for monitoring progression of osteoarthritis, it may not show osteoarthritic changes of the knee until late in the disease progression. MRI is the only noninvasive diagnostic tool used to evaluate osteoarthritic changes. Thus, in this study we compared age-related and osteoarthritic changes of the knee using MRI. Forty-eight asymptomatic and 67 medial compartmental OA knees were assessed. Gradient-echo images were used to evaluate ligamental changes, meniscal changes, cartilage loss, subchondral abnormal signals, subchondral cysts, and osteophytes. In addition, 48 out of 67 OA patients were analyzed by arthroscopy. The results demonstrated that MR signal changes in the medial menisci began in the 30s and progressed with age ; degeneration or tears were found in 62% of the asymptomatic population and 100% of the OA group. Articular cartilage loss of the medial compartment was found in 63% of the OA group. Arthroscopic findings confirmed a high incidence of degenerative meniscal changes in OA patients, and also revealed cartilage lesions in posteromedial area of the medial compartment. These results suggest that meniscal degeneration or tears may play a significant role in the occurrence and progression of medial Compartmental OA.
