Non-invasive Assessment of 3D Load Distribution over the Femoral Articular Cartilage after Medial Menisectomy - Experimental T2 Mapping Study in Porcine Knee -

INTRODUCTION The meniscus plays an important role in the biomechanical knee function. Previous experimental and clinical studies showed that menicectomy results in significant increase of local load transmission and leads to degeneration of the articular cartilage in the knee joint 1-3) . However, there has been no methods which allows three-dimensional (3D) assessment of load distribution in the knee articular cartilage after menicectomy or meniscus injuries without invasiveness. Recent studies of MR imaging showed cartilage T2 mapping is closely related with cartilage matrix and water content. Responsiveness of articular cartilage to compressive loading by T2 may indicate pressure distribution on the cartilage, via evaluation of dynamic changes in the collagenous architecture or water influx or efflux through cartilage 4) . The purpose of this study is to assess influence of medial menisectomy on 3D T2 mapping of the femoral cartilage in the porcine knee joint, using a custom-made non-metallic pressure device which allowed MR imaging under variable loading magnitudes or knee alignments.