We are constantly trying to improve the outcomes of cartilage repair, as I mentioned in a previous post. In this study, we looked at the MRIs of patients who had undergone osteochondral allograft transplantation to their knee.
We measured the area of edema or increased bone signal on MRI and then correlated it with failure rates. What we noticed is that patients with a larger area of edema on MRI had a 50% rate of graft failure, whereas patients who had smaller areas of edema had no failures.
While this study does not tell us how to change things to improve outcomes, it is useful that we have data based on MRI exams that predict failure. We can also look at interventions that improve outcomes in these patients.
Read more about the research in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery.