Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of knee joint under mechanical loading: Review

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common disease that affects the human knee joint, particularly the articular cartilage and meniscus components which are regularly under compressive mechanical loads. Early-stage OA diagnosis is essential as it allows for timely intervention. The primary noninvasive approaches currently available for OA diagnosis include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which provides excellent soft tissue contrast at high spatial resolution. MRI-based knee investigation is usually performed on joints at rest or in a non-weight-bearing condition that does not mimic the actual physiological condition of the joint. This discrepancy may lead to missed detections of early-stage OA or of minor lesions. The mechanical properties of degenerated musculoskeletal (MSK) tissues may vary markedly before any significant morphological or structural changes detectable by MRI. Recognizing distinct deformation characteristics of these tissues under known mechanical loads may reveal crucial joint lesions or mechanical malfunctions which result from early-stage OA. This review article summarizes the large number of MRI-based investigations on knee joints under mechanical loading which have been reported in the literature including the corresponding MRI measures, the MRI-compatible devices employed, and potential challenges due to the limitations of clinical MRI sequences.

Relationship Between Classification of Fabellae and the Severity of Keen Osteoarthritis: A Relevant Study in Chinese Population

“…Conventional radiography of the Kellgren-Lawrence stage division has been considered as a standard for describing the severity of KOA [27] . However, we choose the MRI of Recht grade as a result of it can assess soft tissue preferably and KOA affects the articular cartilage particularly [28,29] .…”

Rare presentation of lateral meniscus tear with pathognomonic MRI finding

“…Magnetic resonance imaging interpretation plays an important role in planning surgical treatment of meniscal pathology as there are significant changes of the meniscal tissue and mechanical characteristics after surgical treatment [6]. Meniscectomy usually lead to some mechanical load transmission changes across the joint and hence degenerative changes will be a sequel of major unplanned meniscectomy [11]. In our case, MRI showed the size and the extent of the meniscal flap and limited partial meniscectomy was planned aiming for best short- and long-term outcomes.…”

Challenges on optimization of 3D-printed bone scaffolds

“…Therefore, CT is much more efficient in the modeling of sharply distinct density variations, for example the interface between bone and soft tissues. The latter approach (MRI), however, is preferable when soft tissues are involved because MRI is highly capable of differentiating the soft tissue types and distinguishing the boundaries of the tissues with similar density [19,20]. Hence, for modeling the damaged bone and the replacing bone scaffolds, CT scans can be favorably used.…”

“…Furthermore, the nozzle diameter is very important in bioprinting where inappropriate diameter can induce mechanical damage to the cell membrane during 3D bioprinting process. Chang et al [273] studied the effects of nozzle diameter (150, 250, 400 μm) and dispensing pressure (5,10,20, and 40 psi) of a 3D bioprinting technique on HepG2 liver cells recovery and proliferation. The results of their study showed that the mechanical damage to the cells due to increase in dispensing pressure or decrease in nozzle diameter, caused the cell viability to decrease (53.39% at 40 psi and 23.07% at 150 μm).…”