ASSOCIATION OF SEMIQUANTITATIVE MRI-BASED MEASURES OF KNEE CARTILAGE WITH INCREASED CARTILAGE LOSS IN KNEES AT ELEVATED RISK OF DEVELOPING OSTEOARTHRITIS - DATA FROM THE OSTEOARTHRITIS INITIATIVE

Abstract

Purpose: Radiographically normal knees (Kellgren & Lawrence grade (KLG) 0) with radiographic OA (KLG2-4, idiopathic OA) in the contralateral knee have been previously reported to exhibit greater cartilage thinning than KLG0 knees with contralateral KLG0, in particular in the lateral compartment. KLG0 knees with contralateral ROA could therefore be of interest for evaluating preventive DMOAD effects targeting early, pre-radiographic OA stages. Semi-quantitative (SQ) MRI-based assessment of different joint tissue pathologies may allow to specifically identify knees at risk of cartilage loss even if no radiographic signs are present.