Effects of the Competitive Season and Off‐Season on Knee Articular Cartilage in Collegiate Basketball Players Using Quantitative MRI: A Multicenter Study

Abstract

Background Injuries to the articular cartilage in the knee are common in jumping athletes, particularly high‐level basketball players. Unfortunately, these are often diagnosed at a late stage of the disease process, after tissue loss has already occurred. Purpose/Hypothesis To evaluate longitudinal changes in knee articular cartilage and knee function in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball players and their evolution over the competitive season and off‐season. Study Type Longitudinal, multisite cohort study. Population Thirty‐two NCAA Division 1 athletes: 22 basketball players and 10 swimmers. Field Strength/Sequence Bilateral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a combined T1ρ and T2 magnetization‐prepared angle‐modulated portioned k‐space spoiled gradient‐echo snapshots (MAPSS) sequence at 3T. Assessment We calculated T2 and T1ρ relaxation times to compare compositional cartilage changes between three timepoints: preseason 1, postseason 1, and preseason 2. Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) were used to assess knee health. Statistical Tests One‐way variance model hypothesis test, general linear model, and chi‐squared test. Results In the femoral articular cartilage of all athletes, we saw a global decrease in T2 and T1ρ relaxation times during the competitive season (all P < 0.05) and an increase in T2 and T1ρ relaxation times during the off‐season (all P < 0.05). In the basketball players' femoral cartilage, the anterior and central compartments respectively had the highest T2 and T1ρ relaxation times following the competitive season and off‐season. The basketball players had significantly lower KOOS measures in every domain compared with the swimmers: Pain (P < 0.05), Symptoms (P < 0.05), Function in Daily Living (P < 0.05), Function in Sport/Recreation (P < 0.05), and Quality of Life (P < 0.05). Conclusion Our results indicate that T2 and T1ρ MRI can detect significant seasonal changes in the articular cartilage of basketball players and that there are regional differences in the articular cartilage that are indicative of basketball‐specific stress on the femoral cartilage. This study demonstrates the potential of quantitative MRI to monitor global and regional cartilage health in athletes at risk of developing cartilage problems. Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2

Blood Flow Restriction Enhances Rehabilitation and Return to Sport: The Paradox of Proximal Performance

“…Several researchers have studied the effect of competitive basketball games on fatigue levels and most indicate a cumulative workload effect, especially with multiple games played per week. [118][119][120][121] Furthermore, Rubin et al 118 detected significant seasonal changes in the articular cartilage of basketball players and regional differences in the articular cartilage that are indicative of basketball-specific stress on the femoral cartilage. Thus, maintaining adequate muscle mass and strength about the lower extremities can be particularly challenging for the basketball player, especially in a full 82game season as played in the National Basketball Association.…”

Advanced MRI Approaches for Evaluating Common Lower Extremity Injuries in Basketball Players: Current and Emerging Techniques

“…In a multisite, longitudinal study, 60 NCAA athletes, 33 basketball players (weight-bearing athletes) and 27 swimmers (nonweight-bearing athletes), were scanned using an advanced MR knee protocol. 23,24 Similar to the above study, 20 swimmers served as a comparison to basketball players due to the non-weight-bearing nature of their sport and the low prevalence of lower extremity injuries. 20 This longitudinal study had three sub-studies.…”

Evaluation of Sustained Acoustic Medicine for Treating Musculoskeletal Injuries in Military and Sports Medicine

“…Players must stay in the game and remain healthy; however, high-level sports are physically demanding to train for and play [ 3 – 9 ]. Physical conditioning is rigorous and extends from the preseason through the postseason [ 10 – 12 ].…”