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Objective: To evaluate the rate of progression of cartilage loss in the knee joint using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to evaluate potential risk factors for more rapid cartilage loss., Methods: We evaluated baseline and followup MRIs of the knees in 43 patients (minimum time interval of 1 year, mean 1.8 years, range 52-285 weeks). Cartilage loss was graded in the anterior, central, and posterior regions of the medial and lateral knee compartments. Knee joints were also evaluated for other pathology. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance models., Results: Patients who had sustained meniscal tears showed a higher average rate of progression of cartilage loss (22%) than that seen in those who had intact menisci (14.9%) (P

Purpose: To define magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in patients with the iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) and to correlate these findings with anatomic features defined at magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in cadavers., Materials and Methods: The anatomic relationship of the iliotibial tract (ITT) to the lateral recesses of the knee joint and the lateral femoral epicondyle was investigated with MR arthrography at full extension and at 30 degrees and 60 degrees of knee flexion in six cadaveric knees. Seventeen MR imaging studies in 16 patients with ITBFS were evaluated., Results: In the cadaveric study, no interference of the lateral synovial recess with the lateral femoral epicondyle at full extension and at 30 degrees and 60 degrees of knee flexion was observed. In all specimens, correlation of MR images with macroscopic and microscopic sections revealed no primary bursa between the lateral femoral epicondyle and the ITT. In clinical studies, MR imaging findings of poorly defined signal intensity abnormalities or circumscribed fluid collections were located in a compartmentlike space confined laterally by the ITT and medially by the meniscocapsular junction, the lateral collateral ligament, and the lateral femoral epicondyle., Conclusion: MR imaging accurately depicts the compartmentlike distribution of signal intensity abnormalities in patients with ITBFS.