Effects of repeated intra-articular hyaluronic acid on cartilage degeneration evaluated by T1ρ mapping in knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (IAHA) has been used for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), but its effectiveness remains controversial. This study analyzed knee OA over time by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1ρ mapping to objectively evaluate whether long-term repeated administration of IAHA influences cartilage degeneration.

Methods: Sixty knees of 60 patients [58.

Projected Cartilage Area Ratio Determined by 3-Dimensional MRI Analysis: Validation of a Novel Technique to Evaluate Articular Cartilage.

Unlabelled: We have developed 3-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis software that allows measurement of the with a particular thickness intended to allow quantitation of the cartilage in the knee. Our aims in this study were to validate the projected cartilage area ratio in both pig and human knees and to examine the ratio in patients reporting knee pain.

Methods: After 3D MRI reconstruction, the femoral cartilage was projected onto a flat surface.

Transplantation of Aggregates of Autologous Synovial Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Cartilage Defects in the Femoral Condyle and the Femoral Groove in Microminipigs.

Background: Previous work has demonstrated that patients with cartilage defects of the knee benefit from arthroscopic transplantation of autologous synovial mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in terms of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), qualitative histologic findings, and Lysholm score. However, the effectiveness was limited by the number of cells obtained, so large-sized defects (>500 mm) were not investigated. The use of MSC aggregates may enable treatment of larger defects by increasing the number of MSCs adhering to the cartilage defect.

Volume change in infrapatellar fat pad is associated not with obesity but with cartilage degeneration.

Infrapatellar fat pad has been implicated in knee osteoarthritis. We examined whether infrapatellar fat pad volume is associated with quantitative cartilage changes using magnetic resonance imaging T1ρ mapping. Fifty-eight knees of knee pain patients (19 men, 39 women, mean age 57.

Bone morphological factors influencing cartilage degeneration in the knee.

Objectives: Morphological features of the distal femur and proximal tibia associated with cartilage degeneration are unknown. This study aimed to elucidate local anatomical parameters of the knee which correlate with articular cartilage degeneration using MRI T1ρ mapping.

Methods: This study involved 200 subjects with knee pain (mean age, 48.

Transplantation of autologous synovial mesenchymal stem cells promotes meniscus regeneration in aged primates.

Transplantation of aggregates of synovial mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhanced meniscus regeneration in rats. Anatomy and biological properties of the meniscus depend on animal species. To apply this technique clinically, it is valuable to investigate the use of animals genetically close to humans.