• David Nag, Gary P Liney, Paul Gillespie, and Kevin P Sherman.
• Centre for MR Investigations, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK.
• J Magn Reson Imaging. 2004 Mar 1; 19 (3): 317-22.

PurposeTo devise a method for producing in vivo MRI images of the knee under physiologically significant loading, and to compare and evaluate the changes in cartilage characteristics before and during in situ compression of the knee.Material And MethodsA total of 26 asymptomatic subjects were imaged on a 1.5 Tesla Philips Intera scanner using a commercially available knee coil. Routine anatomical images were followed by T(2) map acquisition. These scans were repeated following in situ compression of the knee using a MR compatible loading jig.ResultsFollowing loading to body weight, several regions of femoral cartilage show early alteration of T(2) relaxation time, most significantly in the medial and lateral peripheral zones. There were no significant changes in the tibial cartilage.ConclusionsThe results establish the feasibility of measuring changes on MRI with in situ axial loading.Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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