Evaluation of the Knees of Asymptomatic Kangoo Jumpers with MR Imaging

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of pathologic findings in asymptomatic knees of Kangoo Jumpers by using a 3T MRI and to compare them with age and sex-matched controls who do not regularly participate in any impact sports.

Both knees of 18 Kangoo Jumpers were examined by 3T MRIs in a total of 36 MRI scans. The control group was comprised of 20 volunteers from the same age group and with similar weights who did not participate in any competitive sports, in a total of 40 MRI scans. Two orthopedists and one radiologist independently assessed all images for the presence or absence of any abnormalities.

In 32 (88.9%) of the 36 Kangoo Jumpers' knees, one or more abnormalities were observed. The most prevalent abnormality was bone marrow edema, which was detected in 32 knees (88.9%). The other significant findings were quadriceps tendinopathy (80.6%), patellar tendinopathy (63.9%), gastrocnemius tendinopathy (63.9%), infrapatellar fat pad edema (75%), suprapatellar fat pad edema (63.9%), meniscal signal change (72.2%) and cartilage damage in the patellofemoral joint (72.2%). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of joint effusion (8.3%), ganglion cysts (8.3%) or tibiofemoral joint cartilage injury (0%).

This study reveals many types of knee MRI findings of asymptomatic Kangoo Jumpers compared to the control group. These MRI findings may be associated with acute knee injuries or chronic joint problems such as osteoarthritis, which may develop in long-term follow-up studies.