Structural changes of hip osteoarthritis using magnetic resonance imaging

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Limited magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data exist on hip structural changes in osteoarthritis (OA).
• Understanding these changes is crucial for diagnosing and managing hip OA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cartilage volume, cartilage defects, and bone marrow lesions (BMLs) between individuals with and without diagnosed hip OA using MRI.
• To investigate the association between cartilage defects/BMLs and cartilage volume in individuals without diagnosed hip OA.

Main Methods:

• MRI assessment of femoral head cartilage volume in 141 participants without hip OA and 19 with hip OA.
• Regional scoring of cartilage defects and BMLs at the femoral head and acetabulum.

Main Results:

• Individuals with hip OA had significantly lower femoral head cartilage volume (1763 mm³ vs. 3343 mm³; p < 0.001).
• Higher prevalence of cartilage defects and BMLs were observed in individuals with hip OA across most hip regions (p ≤ 0.05).
• In individuals without hip OA, cartilage defects and BMLs in anterior and central superolateral regions were associated with reduced cartilage volume (p ≤ 0.08).

Conclusions:

• Diagnosed hip OA is associated with reduced femoral head cartilage volume and increased cartilage defects and BMLs.
• Presence of cartilage defects and BMLs in specific anterior and central superolateral hip regions may indicate early structural damage in hip OA pathogenesis.
• These findings highlight the utility of MRI in identifying early structural changes in hip OA.