Anthropometric study of the knee in patients with osteoarthritis: intraoperative measurement versus magnetic resonance imaging

Three Morphological Risk Factors for Predicting Isolated Meniscal Bucket-handle Tear

Purpose

The study aimed to investigate whether morphometric variables of the knee can predict isolated meniscal bucket-handle tears and identify the risk factors.

Methods

The study included 146 participants with a mean age of 36.547 ± 12.279 years. They included two groups of 73 patients each: one group with isolated meniscal bucket-handle tears and another with no knee injury (control group). Magnetic resonance imaging findings of the participants were retrospectively assessed. A few morphometric variables associated with distal femur, proximal tibia, and cruciate ligaments were measured.

Results

Cruciate ligament tensity (CLT), medial femoral condylar height (MFCH), and lateral meniscal bone angle (LMBA) were found to be 12.7 ± 0.3, 30.1 ± 2.5 mm, and 21.2° ± 3.4°, respectively, in patients with meniscal bucket-handle tear, compared with 11.9 ± 0.2, 28.3 ± 2.7 mm, and 26.5° ± 3.7° in the control group, respectively. Based on multivariate Firth's logistic regression analysis, CLT (Odds ratio [OR]: 456.533; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.582 to > 999.999), MFCH (OR: 1.603; 95% CI: 1.023-2.513), and LMBA (OR: 0.780; 95% CI: 0.624-0.975) could distinguish between meniscal bucket-handle tears and knees without meniscus tears (p < 0.05). Based on the multicategorical multinominal regression model, CLT (OR: > 999.999; 95% CI: 49.937 to > 999.999) and MFCH (OR: 1.903; 95% CI: 1.005-3.606) were the determinant variables in differentiating medial meniscal bucket-handle tears from knees without meniscus tears (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Large CLT, high medial condyle, and small LMBA were revealed as the morphometric risk factors for meniscal bucket-handle tear.

Morphometric analysis of the Filipino knee and its implication in total knee arthroplasty prosthesis design

Background

Prosthesis factors account for a quarter of the dissatisfaction rates among post-total knee replacement (TKR) patients. In the Philippines, the available prostheses have pre-determined sizes and dimensions that are based on Caucasian morphometric data. This can pose a problem, since according to previous studies Asian knees have smaller dimensions compared to Caucasians. Since there is a paucity of research looking into the fitness of these prostheses to the Filipino knee, this study was pursued.

Methods

This study measured 675 knees of 675 adult Filipinos from January 2018 to December 2020. The morphometric measurements were performed on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. The distal femoral morphometry included: the anteroposterior distance, lateral and medial anteroposterior distances, mediolateral distance, anterior and posterior mediolateral distances, and the femoral aspect ratio. The proximal tibial morphometry included: the anteroposterior distance, mediolateral distance, the medial and lateral anteroposterior distances, and the tibial aspect ratio. The patellar height, width, and thickness were also determined. Statistical analyses were done by using SPSS (version 26) and Microsoft Excel (version 2016).

Results

The mean femoral medial and lateral anteroposterior distances were 57.6 mm and 57.1 mm, respectively. The femoral mediolateral distance was 69.3 mm, and the mean femoral aspect ratio was 1.21. The mean proximal tibial antero-posterior and mediolateral distances were 45.3 mm and 71.9 mm, respectively. The mean tibial aspect ratio was 1.66. Most TKR prostheses can be fitted to the Filipino knee but underhang on the mediolateral aspect is commonly observed in both the femoral and tibial components. The mean patellar height and width of Filipinos were 39.6 mm and 42.6 mm, respectively while the average thickness was 23.1 mm.

Conclusion

Most prostheses available in the Philippine and Asian markets can be fitted into Filipino knees albeit the underhang observed in the mediolateral aspects of both femoral and tibial components. Potential patellar complications are unlikely given the adequate thickness. To avoid the potential mismatch, the best approach is to design a prosthesis aptly suited for the Filipino knees.

Anthropometric measurements of non-arthritic knees in an Egyptian population: an MRI-based study

Background

Knee anthropometric characteristics were evaluated for different ethnicities; however, data from North African populations are deficient. The primary aim was to investigate the Egyptian knees’ anthropometric characteristics as a representative of North African populations. Secondary aims are as follows: (1) to study the anthropometric gender difference, (2) to compare results with other ethnic groups, and (3) to study the mismatch in comparison to geometric characteristics of modern TKA implant designs.

Methods

Two hundred normal knee MRI scans (100 females and 100 males, aging from 18 to 60) were obtained for analysis. Linear measurements (anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML), and aspect ratio (AR)) of the planned cut surface of the distal femur (f) and the proximal tibia (t) were evaluated.

Results

A significant difference between both sexes was found, males had larger measurements in anteroposterior [fAP: 60.97 ± 3.1 vs 54.78 ± 3.3 (P < 0.001), tAP: 46.89 ± 3.0 vs 41.35 ± 2.9 (P < 0.001)] and mediolateral [fML: 74.89 ± 3.2 vs 67.29 ± 3.7 (P < 0.001), tML: 76.01 ± 3.0 vs 67.26 ± 3.2 (P < 0.001)], the mean femoral and tibial AP and ML measurements were different from other ethnic groups. None of the seven studied TKA systems matched the largest ML or the smallest AP dimensions of the distal femur in the current study population.

Conclusion

A significant difference was found between males’ and females’ knee anthropometric characteristics. Some of the commonly used TKA implants in our area could not provide a perfect fit and coverage.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03622034, registered on July 28, 2018.

Morphologic Features of the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

The asymmetric medial and lateral condyles of the distal femur and proximal tibia have a direct influence on the biomechanics of knee joint and prostheses design. This study aimed to determine the morphologic data, that is., anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) widths, and the radius of curvature (ROC) of the geometric arcs of the distal femur and proximal tibia.

Methods

One hundred and seventeen adult dry bones (57 femurs and 60 tibias) were studied. Aspect ratios (AP/ML) were calculated. The AP and ML widths were measured using digital Vernier Caliper with a measuring range of 0-150 mm, resolution of 0.01 mm, and accuracy ± 0.02 mm. The geometric arcs of femoral and tibial condyles were divided into three parts namely anterior 1/3rd, distal (femur) or middle (tibia) 1/3rd and posterior 1/3rd and were estimated in the sagittal plane for the femur and transverse plane for tibia using the ROC gauges.

Results

For the femur, the mean AP length for medial and lateral condyles was 55.62 mm and 57.93 mm, respectively, while the mean ML width was 73.45 mm. For the tibia, the mean AP length for medial condyle (MC) and lateral condyle (LC) was 47.74 mm and 43.46 mm, respectively. The mean aspect ratios for the distal femur and proximal tibia were 1.26 and 1.45, respectively. The mean aspect ratios for MC and LC of the femur were 0.50 and 0.52, respectively, whereas, for tibia, they were 0.61 and 0.71, respectively. The mean ROC for femoral MC - 20.77 mm, 31.42 mm, and 19.68 mm and for LC - 21.48 mm, 64.40 mm and 19.06 mm for the anterior, distal and posterior arcs, respectively. The mean ROC for tibial MC - 22.42 mm, 22.49 mm and 19.94 mm, and LC - 19.92 mm, 21.79 mm and 20.95 mm for the anterior, middle and posterior arcs, respectively.

Conclusions

The morphologic data accumulated in this study for both the distal femur as well as the proximal tibia would provide guidelines and help the manufacturers of joint prostheses to address the potential for compromised implant fit and re-design and make available ‘anatomic’ knee prostheses appropriate for the local population which would not only improve function but also prolong the longevity of the prostheses.

Anthropometry of Nonarthritic Asian Knees: Is It Time for a Race-Specific Knee Implant?

Background

This study was done to study the anthropometry of nonarthritic Asian knees; to determine the differences in morphology between knees of different ethnicities and to compare the knee anthropometry values with sizes of available knee implants.

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging scans of 100 nonarthritic Indian knees were analyzed. Anteroposterior (AP) length, mediolateral (ML) length, and aspect ratio of the distal femur and proximal tibia, patellar length, and patellar tendon length were measured. These values were compared with values of other ethnicities from literature. The values were also compared with sizes of available knee implants and evaluated for mismatch.

Results

All the parameters of female knees were significantly smaller than those of male knees (p < 0.05). The distal femur of Indian knees resembled that of Chinese knees with similar AP and ML lengths and aspect ratio. The distal femur of Indian knees had a significantly smaller AP, ML, and aspect ratio than those of Hispanic knees did. In comparison to Caucasian distal femur, Indian knees had smaller AP and ML lengths and larger aspect ratio. In terms of the proximal tibia, the Indian knees were smaller than Chinese (only ML), Caucasian (AP and ML) and Hispanic (AP and ML) knees. On comparison with implant sizes, there was a mismatch between the distal femur morphology and the dimensions of all implants. For a given AP length, the ML dimensions of all implants were smaller than the measured ML length of the knee. However, the tibial components of all the studied implants correlated well with the tibial morphology.

Conclusions

Distinct anthropometric differences exist between knees of different ethnicities. The knees of females were smaller than the knees of males. In Indian knees, the ML-AP aspect ratio of the distal femur was higher than that of the currently available femoral components. These results suggest the need for race-specific knee implants.

Elevated levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with knee articular cartilage injury

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory cytokines play a vital role in the occurrence of osteoarticular injury and inflammation. Whether inflammation-associated factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are involved in the pathogenesis of keen articular cartilage injury remains poorly understood.

AIM

To measure the levels of inflammatory factors [IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF] in patients with knee articular cartilage injury.

METHODS

Fifty-five patients with knee articular cartilage injury were selected as patient groups, who were divided into three grades [mild (n = 20), moderate (n = 19) and severe (n = 16)] according to disease severity and X-ray examinations. Meanwhile, 30 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination were selected as the control group. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF were measured by ELISA and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, patient groups displayed significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF, and the extent of increase was directly proportional to the severity of injury (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of cells with positive staining of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF in the synovial membrane were significantly increased, along with increased disease severity (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of visual analogue scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster University of Orthopaedic Index in patient groups were 2.26 ± 1.13 and 15.56 ± 7.12 points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those before treatment (6.98 ± 1.32 and 49.48 ± 8.96). Correlation analysis suggested that IL-1β and TNF-α were positively correlated with VEGF.

CONCLUSION

IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF levels are increased in patients with knee articular cartilage injury, and are associated with the disease severity, indicating they might play an important role in the occurrence and development of knee articular cartilage injury. Furthermore, therapeutically targeting them might be a novel approach for the treatment of keen articular cartilage injury.

The usefulness of chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of osteoid osteoma

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be useful in the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma when clinical and radiological tumor features are inconclusive.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included 17 patients who underwent chemical-shift MRI for the evaluation of osteoid osteoma. For all patients, two musculoskeletal radiologists independently recorded signal intensities on in-phase and out-of-phase images in the nidus of the tumor, in abnormal-intensity bone marrow surrounding the lesion, and in normal-appearing bone marrow. For each region, relative signal intensity ratios were calculated by dividing out-of-phase by in-phase values. Relative ratios > 1 were considered indicative of neoplastic lesions. Statistical analysis was carried out to analyze the sample. Inter-observer and intra-observer agreement for each imaging method were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients according to the Fleiss method and a value > 0.65 was considered to indicate substantial agreement.

Results

The mean relative signal intensity ratios were 1.2 (range, 0.9-1.4) for the nidus and 0.35 (range, 0.11-0.66) for the surrounding tissue; these values differed significantly from the relative signal-intensity ratios for normal-appearing bone marrow (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Chemical-shift MRI is useful for the diagnosis and evaluation of osteoid osteoma.

Magnetic resonance arthrography of the shoulder: a painful procedure?

Objective

To compare the pain expected to that effectively caused by magnetic resonance arthrography of the shoulder and, secondarily, to describe a simplified approach to the technique for articular access.

Materials and Methods

We prospectively evaluated 40 participants who used a visual analog scale and a simplified categorical scale to indicate the level of pain expected and that experienced after the procedure, comparing the two with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. We also determined gender-related differences in pain conditions using the Mann-Whitney U test. In addition, we described a modified technique involving radiographic localization and the use of standard puncture needles for articular access.

Results

Analysis of the visual analog scales showed that the pain experienced was less than had been expected, with median scores of 1.75 and 3.75, respectively (p < 0.001). The level of pain expected was higher among women than among men, with median scores of 8.0 and 3.0, respectively (p = 0.014), as was the level of pain experienced, with median scores of 3.0 and 1.5, respectively (p = 0.139). The overall categorical evaluation corroborated that difference (p = 0.03). Articular access with the modified technique was successful in all patients.

Conclusion

Magnetic resonance arthrography of the shoulder is less painful than patients expect. In addition, digital radiographic guidance combined with the use of standard puncture needles appears to improve the efficiency of the method.

A quantitative experimental phantom study on MRI image uniformity

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to assess MR image uniformity by investigating aspects influencing said uniformity via a method laid out by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).

METHODS

Six metallic materials embedded in a glass phantom were scanned (i.e. Au, Ag, Al, Au-Ag-Pd alloy, Ti and Co-Cr alloy) as well as a reference image. Sequences included spin echo (SE) and gradient echo (GRE) scanned in three planes (i.e. axial, coronal, and sagittal). Moreover, three surface coil types (i.e. head and neck, Brain, and temporomandibular joint coils) and two image correction methods (i.e. surface coil intensity correction or SCIC, phased array uniformity enhancement or PURE) were employed to evaluate their effectiveness on image uniformity. Image uniformity was assessed using the National Electrical Manufacturers Association peak-deviation non-uniformity method.

RESULTS

Results showed that temporomandibular joint coils elicited the least uniform image and brain coils outperformed head and neck coils when metallic materials were present. Additionally, when metallic materials were present, spin echo outperformed gradient echo especially for Co-Cr (particularly in the axial plane). Furthermore, both SCIC and PURE improved image uniformity compared to uncorrected images, and SCIC slightly surpassed PURE when metallic metals were present. Lastly, Co-Cr elicited the least uniform image while other metallic materials generally showed similar patterns (i.e. no significant deviation from images without metallic metals).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, a quantitative understanding of the factors influencing MR image uniformity (e.g. coil type, imaging method, metal susceptibility, and post-hoc correction method) is advantageous to optimize image quality, assists clinical interpretation, and may result in improved medical and dental care.