The purpose of this study was to develop an MR-based technique for quantitative analysis of joint surface size, surface curvature, and joint incongruity and to assess its reproducibility under in vivo imaging conditions. The surface areas were determined after 3D reconstruction of the joint by triangulation and the incongruity by Gaussian curvature analysis. The precision was tested by analyzing four replicated MRI datasets of human knees in 14 individuals. The algorithms were shown to produce accurate data in geometric test objects. The interscan precision was <4% (CV%) for surface area, 2.9-5.7 m(-1) (SD) for the mean principal curvature, and 4.1-7.4 m(-1) for congruence indices. Incongruity was highest in the femoropatellar joint (79.7 m(-1)) and lowest in the medial femorotibial joint (28.6 m(-1)). This technique will permit identification of the specific role of surface size, curvature, and incongruity as potential risk factors for osteoarthritis.
Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.