Development of MRI-based Definition of Knee Osteoarthritis

This podcast episode discusses the development of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based definition of knee osteoarthritis (OA). X-ray, the current method for defining OA, is not sensitive to early changes, whereas MRI can detect abnormalities sooner. The lack of a consensus MRI definition hampers research and clinical trials. The study utilized data from the Multi-Center Osteoarthritis study, focusing on a cohort of adults at risk of OA, and identified three best-performing candidate MRI definitions of OA. These definitions included cartilage score and osteophyte score, with optional inclusion of bone marrow lesions or synovitis. This research provides potential MRI-based definitions that could be used in future studies and clinical trials.