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T2*-Mapping of Knee Cartilage in Response to Mechanical Loading in Alpine Skiing: A Feasibility Study

Purpose: This study intends to establish a study protocol for the quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) measurement of biochemical changes in knee cartilage induced by mechanical stress during alpine skiing with the implementation of new spring-loaded ski binding. Methods: The MRI-knee-scan...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Schütz, Uwe, Martensen, Thomas, Kleiner, Sebastian, Dreyhaupt, Jens, Wegener, Martin, Wilke, Hans-Joachim, Beer, Meinrad
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: MDPI 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9222057/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35741201
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12061391
Descripción
Sumario:Purpose: This study intends to establish a study protocol for the quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) measurement of biochemical changes in knee cartilage induced by mechanical stress during alpine skiing with the implementation of new spring-loaded ski binding. Methods: The MRI-knee-scans (T2*-mapping) of four skiers using a conventional and a spring-loaded ski binding system, alternately, were acquired before and after 1 h/4 h of exposure to alpine skiing. Intrachondral T2* analysis on 60 defined regions of interest in the femorotibial knee joint (FTJ) was conducted. Intra- and interobserver variability and relative changes in the cartilage T2* signal and thickness were calculated. Results: A relevant decrease in the T2* time after 4 h of alpine skiing could be detected at the majority of measurement times. After overnight recovery, the T2* time increased above baseline. Although, the total T2* signal in the superficial cartilage layers was higher than that in the lower ones, no differences between the layers in the T2* changes could be detected. The central and posterior cartilage zones of the FTJ responded with a stronger T2* alteration than the anterior zones. Conclusions: For the first time, a quantitative MRI study setting could be established to detect early knee cartilage reaction due to alpine skiing. Relevant changes in the T2* time and thus in the intrachondral collagen microstructure and the free water content were observed.