A Study of MRI Imaging in Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective:To study the joint lesions in knee osteoarthritis by MRI and analyze the relationship between these lesions and pain.Methods:A total of 28 patients (31 knees)with osteoarthritis were recruited to this study.The severity of the knee pain was assessed by VRS scores.Multi-sequence scans were performed by 1.5T MR for detecting abnormity of cartilage,menisci and anterior cruciate ligaments,bone marrow edema-like lesion,osteophytes,synovitis and joint effusion.MR findings were compared with the severity of pain with Fisher exact test by SPSS13.0.Results:Of the thirty-one eligible knees in this study,the abnormity of menisci and anterior cruciate ligaments,bone marrow edema-like lesion,osteophytes,synovitis and joint effusion were detected in 32.3%,38.7%,45.2%,100%,15.1% and 67.7% of knees respectively.The difference in prevalence of joint effusion between mild pain group and severe pain group were of statistical significance (P=0.004,0.001). Conclusion:MRI can evaluate the whole joint structure of knee in osteoarthritis and is able to show various pathologic changes clearly.The symptoms of pain are related with joint effusion.