An MR-based technique for quantifying the deformation of articular cartilage during mechanical loading in an intact cadaver joint.
The objective of this study was to develop an MR-based technique for quantifying the deformation of articular cartilage during mechanical loading in an intact cadaver joint at high spatial and temporal resolution. A nonmetallic pressure device was constructed for applying loads of >1000 N to a femoro-patellar articulation within an extremity coil of a clinical 1.5 T MRI scanner. Digital image processing methods were used to determine the location- and time-dependent cartilage deformation in consecutive 2D fat-suppressed FLASH images. Additionally, three-dimensional reconstruction of the cartilage was performed from 3D fat-suppressed FLASH image data. During the first 10 min of static compression, thickness changes between 10 and 30% were observed. Thickness changes greater than 50% and volume changes of 20% were recorded after 3 h. The technique permits analysis of the load and time-dependent mechanical behavior of articular cartilage in its natural environment.
Herberhold
C
C
Anatomische Anstalt, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Germany.
Stammberger
T
T
Faber
S
S
Putz
R
R
Englmeier
K H
KH
Reiser
M
M
Eckstein
F
F
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology