title: Rapidly progressive osteoarthritis: biomechanical considerations.
abstract: An underlying hypothesis for rapid cartilage loss in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) is that perturbation from normal joint mechanics produces locally high biomechanical strains that exceed the material properties of the tissue, leading to rapid destruction. Several imaging findings are associated with focally high biomechanical forces and thus are potential candidates for predictive biomarkers of rapid OA progression. This article focuses on 3 aspects of knee biomechanics that have potential magnetic resonance imaging correlates, and which may serve as prognostic biomarkers: knee malalignment, meniscal dysfunction, and injury of the osteochondral unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology MC H066, Penn State University College of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Derik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Mosher
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000293:injuries; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000503:physiopathology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors