Investigation of apparent diffusion constant as an indicator of early degenerative disease in articular cartilage.

Purpose: To investigate the apparent diffusion constant (ADC) as a prospective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) marker of early degeneration in articular cartilage.

Materials And Methods: Early degenerative changes were studied using in vitro MRI on cartilage-bone specimens excised from human femoral condyles. The loss of proteoglycans developed in vivo due to a degenerative process was compared with a gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate anion (Gd-DTPA(2-)) enhanced decrease of T(1) relaxation times, and with an increase of ADCs and T(2) relaxation times.

Osteointegration and implant position after cementless total knee replacement.

Osteointegration and implant position are regions of interest after cementless total knee replacement. The radiographic and functional status of 101 implants in 101 patients were evaluated 3, 12, and 24 months after implantation. To obtain satisfactory radiographs, a fluoroscopically assisted technique was used.