Influence of leg axis alignment on MRI T2* mapping of the knee in young professional soccer players

TY - JOUR

T1 - Influence of leg axis alignment on MRI T2* mapping of the knee in young professional soccer players

AU - Dalos, D

AU - Marshall, P R

AU - Lissy, M

AU - Maas, K J

AU - Henes, F O

AU - Kaul, M G

AU - Kleinertz, H

AU - Frings, J

AU - Krause, M

AU - Frosch, K H

AU - Welsch, G H

N1 - © 2024. The Author(s).

PY - 2024/2/15

Y1 - 2024/2/15

N2 - BACKGROUND: Investigation of the association between leg axis alignment and biochemical MRI in young professional soccer players in order to identify a potential influence of the leg axis on cartilage regions at risk.METHODS: Sixteen professional soccer players (21 ± 3 years) underwent static and dynamic leg axis analysis via radiation free DIERS formetric 4 D as well as 3-T MRI examination of both knees. Quantitative T2* mapping of the knee cartilage was performed and T2* values were evaluated as 144 regions of interest. Subgroup analysis was performed in players with severe varus alignment (> 6°).RESULTS: Analysis of the leg axis geometry revealed a mean static alignment of 6.6° ± 2.5 varus and a mean dynamic alignment of 5.1° ± 2.6 varus. Quantitative T2* mapping showed significantly increased T2* values in the superficial cartilage layer compared to the deeper region (p < 0.001) as well as a significant increase in relaxation times in the femoral cartilage from anterior to intermediate to posterior (p < 0.001). Combination of both methods revealed a significant correlation for the degree of varus alignment and the femoral, posterior, deep region of the medial knee compartment (r = 0.4; p = 0.03). If severe varus alignment was present this region showed a significant increase in relaxation time compared to players with a less pronounced leg axis deviation (p = 0.003).CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that varus alignment in young soccer players is associated with elevated T2* relaxation times in the deep cartilage layer of the medial, posterior, femoral compartment and might therefore be a contributing factor in the early pathogenesis of manifest cartilage lesions. Therefore, these findings should be considered in the development of preventive training programs.

AB - BACKGROUND: Investigation of the association between leg axis alignment and biochemical MRI in young professional soccer players in order to identify a potential influence of the leg axis on cartilage regions at risk.METHODS: Sixteen professional soccer players (21 ± 3 years) underwent static and dynamic leg axis analysis via radiation free DIERS formetric 4 D as well as 3-T MRI examination of both knees. Quantitative T2* mapping of the knee cartilage was performed and T2* values were evaluated as 144 regions of interest. Subgroup analysis was performed in players with severe varus alignment (> 6°).RESULTS: Analysis of the leg axis geometry revealed a mean static alignment of 6.6° ± 2.5 varus and a mean dynamic alignment of 5.1° ± 2.6 varus. Quantitative T2* mapping showed significantly increased T2* values in the superficial cartilage layer compared to the deeper region (p < 0.001) as well as a significant increase in relaxation times in the femoral cartilage from anterior to intermediate to posterior (p < 0.001). Combination of both methods revealed a significant correlation for the degree of varus alignment and the femoral, posterior, deep region of the medial knee compartment (r = 0.4; p = 0.03). If severe varus alignment was present this region showed a significant increase in relaxation time compared to players with a less pronounced leg axis deviation (p = 0.003).CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that varus alignment in young soccer players is associated with elevated T2* relaxation times in the deep cartilage layer of the medial, posterior, femoral compartment and might therefore be a contributing factor in the early pathogenesis of manifest cartilage lesions. Therefore, these findings should be considered in the development of preventive training programs.

KW - Humans

KW - Soccer

KW - Leg

KW - Cartilage, Articular/diagnostic imaging

KW - Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging

KW - Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods

U2 - 10.1186/s12891-024-07233-3

DO - 10.1186/s12891-024-07233-3

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 38360606

VL - 25

SP - 144

JO - BMC MUSCULOSKEL DIS

JF - BMC MUSCULOSKEL DIS

SN - 1471-2474

IS - 1

ER -