Role of Recent MRI Techniques in Cartilage Imaging in Osteoarthritis of Knee Joint

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become an important additional tool in the evaluation and diagnosis of knee OA. Recent advances in MRI keep this tool attain an important stance in diagnosing OA and evolving techniques render it able to provide a good link between radio-pathologic concepts and clinical perspectives. MRI allows not only direct visualization of cartilage loss, but also identifies non-cartilage structures such as subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and cysts, synovitis, joint effusion, meniscal and ligament lesions and other structural abnormalities which cannot be seen with conventional radiography. Moreover, MRI is also more sensitive in detecting beginning structural joint degeneration and could be helpful in making an early diagnosis of knee OA. In addition, a clear focus on the non-cartilaginous structures within the knee joint that change more readily than cartilage could offer opportunities to develop structure-modifying treatments in knee OA. Osteoarthritic defects are shown to lateralize or medialize in the Patellofemoral and Tibiofemoral compartments of the knee in patients with generalized OA. Thus, this study supports