[Progress on magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating the articular cartilage of the knee joint]

The reasonable selection of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) scan sequence and parameters is very important for the objective evaluation of the results of clinical study and high quality imaging. The semi quantitative scoring system of total knee joint including Whole Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score, Boston Leeds Osteoarthritis Knee Score, MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score, Cartilage Repair Osteoarthritis Knee Score and so on. They can fully evaluate the imaging changes of various organs during the development of knee osteoarthritis. With the continuous development of MRI technology, the morphological and physiological changes of articular cartilage can be quantitatively assessed. T2 mapping, Diffusion Weighted Imaging, and delayed Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI of Cartilage can be quantitatively monitoring changes in cartilage matrix components. These quantitative and semi quantitative evaluation techniques are helpful to detect OA in its early stage, guide clinical early intervention, and also provide the possibility for the accurate evaluation of the therapeutic effect.