MRI signal based quantification of subchondral sclerosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MRI signal based quantification of subchondral sclerosis at the tibial plateau: a population study
IRAS ID
136431
Contact name
Andoni Toms
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development Office
Research summary
Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging has the ability to detect the earliest changes in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee by providing high levels of detail on both bony and soft tissue structures. In doing so it may be able to identify individuals suitable for targeted preventative therapies to prevent progression and possibly reverse the disease process. One of the hallmarks of OA of the knee is subchondral sclerosis. This represents bony remodelling in response to abnormal stress. MR has the potential to quantify subchondral sclerosis and identify its early stages. This has been demonstrated in animals, but not in humans.
This is a retrospective study to look at the signal characteristics of subchondral bone in individuals in two different age groups: (1) 25 - 30 years old and (2) 45 - 50 years old. We will also measure cartilage thickness in each individual.
We aim to determine:
1. Properties of MR signal characteristics of subchondral bone in each group, and whether or not there is a difference between groups.
2. Whether or not changes in subchondral bone signal may predate changes in cartilage thickness with increasing age.The MR signal characteristics of subchondral bone may help us to identify individuals at risk of developing OA, allowing us to intervene more effectively and produce better clinical outcomes. We may also shed new light on the pathogenesis of OA by examining the sequence in which changes in bone and cartilage occur.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0744
Date of REC Opinion
11 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion