Non-invasive determination of cartilage thickness throughout joint surfaces using magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract Data on articular cartilage thickness in the living are important for the design of computer models, aimed at preoperatively assessing the effect of surgical procedures on joint contact and load transmission, and for the calculation of cartilage material properties from its deformational behavior as determined during arthroscopy. A non-invasive method for measuring cartilage thickness in living subjects is, however, not available. A technique based on magnetic resonance imaging has therefore been tested for assessing articular cartilage thickness throughout joint surfaces. The accuracy is determined by comparing cartilage thickness maps obtained from three patellar specimens with a…