Frequency of MRI-detected peripheral osteoarthritis in athletes during the Summer Olympics in Rio 2016

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the frequency and severity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based peripheral osteoarthritis (OA) in athletes during the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games. MethodsAll MRIs of the peripheral joints in Olympic athletes, performed at the centralized imaging facility, either following acute trauma or for non-traumatic joint pain, were included. All MRIs were retrospectively reviewed for presence and severity of MRI-based OA using an adapted Outerbridge classification for cartilage and adapted classifications for other tissues. Scoring of MRI abnormalities was independently and retrospectively performed without reference to the on-site clinical reports. The frequencies of MRI-detected OA were tabulated and grouped into sports categories, athletes’ age (<25; 25–29; and ≥30 years of age), and sex. Results11,274 athletes participated in the Games. 320 athletes underwent MRI of the peripheral joints. One hundred sixty (50.0%) were female, 109 (34.1%) were <25 years, 132 (41.3%) between the ages of 25 and 29 years old, and 79 (24.7%) ≥30 years old. 53 (16.6%) had MRI-based OA, with slightly more than half having severe OA. In every age category, severe OA was the most frequent finding and there was a linear trend for increased likelihood of having OA with increasing age (Cochran-Armitage test, p ​= ​0.009). Frequencies of OA were similar in male and female athletes. The wrist (29.2%) and the knee (23.3%) were the most commonly affected joints. ConclusionsMRI-defined OA was not uncommon among elite athletes in this selected sample.