Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of the joint damage in asymptomatic alpine ski racers.

AIM To evaluate the role of 99m-technetium methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) bone scintigraphy on the detection of joint damage in asymptomatic alpine ski racers. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 20 male asymptomatic alpine ski racers (age range: 18-21 years). None of the skiers had a history of ski crashes. Bone scan findings of the racers were examined with Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy during the active racing season and the inactive training season. Planar anterior and posterior images of hip, knee, and ankle joints were obtained 4 h after intravenous injection of 20 mCi Tc-99m MDP. All images were interpreted visually by 2 experienced nuclear medicine physicians. Free regions of interest were drawn on hip, knee, and ankle joints, as well as background regions. Joint-to-background ratios were calculated for each joint, and the uptake ratios of both right and left joints during active ski season were compared to those during the inactive training period. RESULTS Uptake ratios of the right and left hip, knee, and ankle joints were significantly higher during the active racing period than those calculated during the inactive period (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION Bone scintigraphy may have an important role in detecting joint injuries of hip, knee, and ankle joints in asymptomatic alpine ski racers and can be used successfully when MRI is unavailable.