Vibrational spectroscopy as a promising modality for diagnosing early osteoarthritis: a literature review

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease caused by biological, chemical, and viscoelastic changes in the cartilage, synovium, subchondral bone, and synovial fluid. The current imaging techniques used to diagnose OA are frequently time-consuming, expensive, and damaging. Joint tissues have been examined using vibrational spectroscopy, and spectra of arthritic cartilage or subchondral bone in animals and people have revealed early chemical changes. This literature review aims to evaluate the role of vibrational spectroscopy in detecting early OA. Methods: Using the keywords "osteoarthritis," "imaging," "diagnostic," "spectroscopy," "vibrational spectroscopy," cartilage," and "synovial fluid," studies in online databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar were searched for this review of the literature. After that, appropriate studies were conducted using a narrative synthesis analysis. Discussion: There are three types of vibrational spectroscopy, including near-infrared (NIR), infrared (IR), and Raman spectroscopy, which creates a vibrational spectrum from the vibrating of molecules or atomic groups brought on by electromagnetic radiation. Early OA can be identified by spectroscopic analysis of the synovial fluid, alterations in articular cartilage, and subchondral bone. The stretching and bending vibrations of C-H, N-H, and O-H bonds are visible in the NIR spectrum at wavelengths between 12,500 and 4000 cm-1. The transition between molecules' vibrational and rotational energy levels causes structural modifications in the 4000-400 cm-1 range, which are analyzed by IR spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy uses the Raman scattering method to reflect the vibrational information between molecules. Conclusion: Vibrational spectroscopy is a promising modality for detecting early OA by analyzing synovial fluid spectrum, articular cartilage and subchondral bone changes.