Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the imaging modality of choice in both clinical and research settings of musculoskeletal diseases, in particular osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic joint disease characterized by destruction and progressive loss of articular cartilage and clinical symptoms including pain, stiffness and impaired function. Hence; the present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating cartilage abnormalities in patients with osteoarthritis of knee. Materials & methods: Sample size for the present study included 15 OA of knee patients. A self-framed questionnaire was made and complete demographic details and clinical data of all the patients were analysed. Also, complete clinical examination of all the patients was carried out. MRI was done in all the patients. Grading of Cartilage abnormalities was done as follows: Grade 0  normal; Grade I  internal signal intensity alteration only; Grade IIA  defect of cartilage of less than 50%; Grade IIB  defect of cartilage of 50%–99%; Grade IIIA  100% defect of cartilage with no bone ulceration; and Grade IIIB  100% defect of cartilage with subjacent bone ulceration.. Results: 33.33 percent of the patients each were of Grade III A and II B respectively. 13.33 percent of the patients were of grade II A. Therefore; majority of the patients, on MRI examination were of Grade IIB and IIIA. Conclusion: For assessing the bony and soft tissues of knee as a whole organ, MRI plays an important role. Key words: Cartilage, MRI, Osteoarthritis