3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Role in Articular Degenerative Pathology

Osteoarthrosis is one of the most common degenerative diseases, affecting most of the middle and advanced age population. It is responsible for joint pain, and reduces mobility to functional impotence, thus becoming a public health problem. It is characterized by the destruction of articular cartilage and bone structures forming joints. Although osteoarthritis is considered a disease that occurs predominantly in the elderly, we present herein the case a young female patient, known for pelvic limb inequality and flat leg with advanced arthrosis in the left ankle, secondary to multiple surgical interventions performed at the lower limb. Because of the degenerative phenomena, the patient had reduced mobility, functional impairment and local pain. For the quantification and therapeutic management of degenerative changes produced by this pathology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exploration technique is recommended, allowing visualization of alterations in bone structures and cartilage. This is the standard diagnosis method due to important details on bone structures and cartilages, even in the early stages of the disease. The importance of this case is suggested by the young age of the patient (28 years old) and the advanced stage of the degenerative phenomenon, being rare at this age.