Abstract:
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Purpose: Stressed musculoskeletal structures of high performance athletes have been previously shown to show findings on advanced imaging which might be considered abnormal in the lay population. In basketball the most commonly affected region is the anterior knee. Consequently we sought to evaluate for "MR abnormalities" in the asymptomatic anterior knee of NBA basketball players.
Methods and Materials: In 1.5T, sagittal PD and T2 weighted 22 MR studies of 16 knees in 13 NBA players without symptoms in either the quadriceps or patellar tendon or anterior knee pain, were evaluated. Two observers in consensus noted for the presence of: osseous overgrowth of the inferior pole of the patella, marrow edema and cartilage defects in the patella and trochlea, signal and thickning of the patellar tendon, peritendinitis, anterior bursal collections, ratio of patellar tendon length to patellar length, abnormal signal in Hoffa's or the quadriceps fat pad and the presence of prior Osgood Schlatter disease. Five individuals had at least one follow-up study. Three athletes had bilateral studies.
Results: Bony overgrowth of the patella was seen in 15/16 knees (94%). Patello-trochlear cartilage defects were seen in 13/16 knees (81%): patellar in 8 (50%) and trochlear in 10 (62%). Bone marrow edema was seen in 9/16 knees (56%), abnormalities of the patellar tendon were seen in 5/16 knees (31%). Fat pad edema was noted in 3/16 knees (19%) and mild peritendinitis in 1 patient (8%). Non had evidence of prior Osgood Schlatter disease or current infrapatellar bursitis. Patients' patellar tendon to patellar length was always within the normal range (0.8-1.2), except for one player with patella baja. Interval changes of patellar/trochlear cartilage defects or in the surrounding marrow edema were noted in 4 patients. One patient also developed edema in Hoffa's fat pad, on follow-up.
Conclusion: Inferior patellar bony overgrowth and patello-trochlear cartilage defects are common findings, even in asymptomatic basketball players. Surprisingly, tendon abnormalities, when seen, were fairly subtle. However, it may be difficult to definitely determine whether these findings are completely asymptomatic.
Questions about this event email: shabshin@yahoo.com
Shabshin MD, N,
Asymptomatic MR Findings in the Anterior Knee of Professional Basketball Players. Radiological Society of North America 2003 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 30 - December 5, 2003 ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2003/3107815.html
