How Can MRI Be Used to Grade the Impact of Therapies – Pharmaceutical, Operative, Physical Therapy, and Behavioral Interventions?
• MRI can provide semi-quantitative assessment in osteoarthritis because it can detail articular cartilage integrity; subchondral bone-marrow pathology; edema or cysts; subchondral bone attrition; marginally, centrally, and posteriorly positioned osteophytes; meniscal and ligament integrity; synovitis and effusion; and loose bodies. Three commonly sued whole-joint MRI imaging assessments are: a. Whole-organ MR imaging score (WORMS) b. Knee osteoarthritis scoring system (KOSS) c. Boston leads osteoarthritis knee score (BLOKS) • Cartilage can be reproducibly and accurately measured by MRI. Cartilage morphology and trabecular bone may be quantitatively measured in the research arena to provide baseline and follow-up monitoring of treatment in OA. In a clinical trial, cartilage thickness can provide the same level of sensitivity as cartilage volume to estimate cartilage loss. • MRI shows potential value as a biomarker, since studies have indicated that the presence of either bone-marrow le
