Imaging of Articular Cartilage

Chapter 111 discusses imaging of articular cartilage. The importance of cartilage in normal joint function necessitates the use of high-resolution sequences for cartilage assessment. Cartilage loss is inferred on radiographs and CT images by the presence of joint space loss, altered alignment, and subchondral bone changes. MRI allows the direct assessment of articular cartilage structure and injury in contrast to the indirect visualization obtained with radiography and CT. Direct visualization in situ has helped to advance the treatment of injured cartilage, which is increasingly common in clinical practice. The imaging of cartilage composition may aid in the development of treatments that prevent or stabilize cartilage injury.