CARTILAGE最新文献

{"title":"ZC3H13 Promotes NSUN4-Mediated Chondrocyte Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Pyroptosis in Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis.","authors":"Yu Chen, Haotian Ren","doi":"10.1177/19476035251339410","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251339410","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveTemporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) seriously influences the quality of life of patients. Chondrocyte mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis play an important role in the development of osteoarthritis, but their role in TMJOA pathogenesis is elusive. We aimed to probe into the role and mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis in TMJOA.DesignTMJOA rat models were established by unilateral anterior crossbite operation. Pathological changes in cartilage tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The biological function and mechanism of ZC3H13 in mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis were determined by cell experiments.ResultsWe discovered that mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis occurred in cartilage tissues of TMJOA rats. The expression of ZC3H13 was observably upregulated in TMJOA rats. Further cell experiments showed that interference of ZC3H13 restrained mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis of chondrocytes. RNA sequencing revealed that NSUN4 expression was significantly increased in chondrocytes after ZC3H13 knockdown. Silencing of ZC3H13 remarkably diminished the level of NSUN4 N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Moreover, mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were notably increased after NSUN4 knockdown.ConclusionOur study revealed that ZC3H13-mediated NSUN4 repressed TMJOA progression by modulating chondrocyte mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis in an m6A-dependent manner, which may offer a potential strategy for TMJOA treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"748-761"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12119525/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plasma Amino Acids Reflect Cartilage Loss, Osteoarthritis Pain, Functional Disability, and Mental Health in a Longitudinal Study with Total Knee Replacement.","authors":"Anne-Mari Mustonen, Laura Säisänen, Lauri Karttunen, Petro Julkunen, Amir Esrafilian, Jusa Reijonen, Jussi Mäki, Heikki Kröger, Jari Arokoski, Petteri Nieminen","doi":"10.1177/19476035251360189","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251360189","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveBiofluid amino acids (AAs) are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a disease continuum of both mechanical and inflammatory aspects. Our aim was to identify AAs that would associate with cartilage degradation, subjectively and objectively assessed joint pain and function, and psychological well-being.DesignFasting blood was sampled from 8 healthy controls at baseline, and from 8 end-stage KOA patients before total knee arthroplasty and 1 year post-operatively. Plasma AA profiles were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography, and the obtained results were analyzed with univariate and multivariate statistical tests, and with pathway analysis by MetaboAnalyst.ResultsCystine, <i>β</i>-alanine, and hydroxylysine emerged as potential biomarkers distinguishing KOA patients from controls, and several metabolic pathways were disturbed in baseline KOA. Total knee arthroplasty reduced pain and improved joint function, but the effects on plasma AA metabolism were less obvious. There were significant associations between systemic AA levels and articular cartilage thickness, KOA pain, physical performance, corticospinal excitability, and mental health, independent of age and body adiposity.ConclusionThe results suggest that AA metabolism could play a role in KOA pathophysiology and motivate further studies investigating the potential of AAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"522-537"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339497/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144815817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of Serum Biomarkers for Early-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis Using Proteomics in a Murine Model of Osteoarthritis.","authors":"Shohei Yamauchi, Eiji Sasaki, Yota Tatara, Kyota Ishibashi, Takahiro Tsushima, Yuka Kimura, Eiichi Tsuda, Yasuyuki Ishibashi","doi":"10.1177/19476035251363443","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251363443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveTo characterize the serum protein profiles of osteoarthritis model mice, particularly mice with early-stage osteoarthritis, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).DesignSerum and knee samples were collected from 5 control mice and 15 osteoarthritis model mice that underwent destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Osteoarthritic knee samples were collected 4, 8, and 12 weeks after DMM. Knee osteoarthritis severity was scored using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system. All serum samples were analyzed via LC-MS/MS after removing highly abundant proteins using a ProteoMiner kit (Bio-Rad).ResultsThe average OARSI scores of the medial tibial plateau and medial femoral condyle at 8 weeks after DMM (3.40 ± 1.02 points, <i>P</i> = 0.03; 2.60 ± 1.71 points, <i>P</i> = 0.03) and 12 weeks after DMM (8.30 ± 3.12 points, <i>P</i> = 0.03; 4.80 ± 0.75 points, <i>P</i> = 0.03) were significantly higher than the corresponding values in the control group. Compared to those in the control model, 15, 35, and 56 proteins showed different expression levels at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after DMM, respectively. Differentially expressed proteins at 4 weeks after DMM included adenylate kinase, type IV intermediate filament protein, nestin, and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins. The pathways activated at 4 weeks after DMM differed from those activated at 8 and 12 weeks after DMM.ConclusionProtein expression and activation pathways in the osteoarthritis model differed from those in the control model. Several proteins differentially expressed at 4 weeks postoperatively may be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and serve as potential biomarkers of early-stage osteoarthritis.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"794-807"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12335431/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144803611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What are These Cysts Doing in My Graft? A Meta-Analysis on Cystic Occurrence After Autografting and Allografting for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.","authors":"Jari Dahmen, Julian J Hollander, James J Butler, Kaj S Emanuel, Quinten G H Rikken, Sjoerd A S Stufkens, John G Kennedy, Gino M M J Kerkhoffs","doi":"10.1177/19476035251333374","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251333374","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe exact incidence of cyst formation after graft transplantation for osteochondral lesions is unknown. The primary purpose was to assess and compare cystic occurrence after autografting, allografting, and osteoperiosteal grafting for osteochondral lesions of the talus. Our secondary aim was to assess the correlation of clinical outcomes with the presence of postoperative cysts.MethodsA literature search was performed up to October 2023 through PubMed, Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane Library. The primary outcome was the postoperative cystic occurrence rate. A random-effects model with moderator analysis was used to calculate differences in occurrence rates between treatment groups. The relationship between the presence of cysts and clinical outcomes was described.ResultsThirteen studies were included with 382 ankles. The average radiological follow-up at which the presence of cystic occurrence was assessed ranged from 12 to 84 months. The rates of cystic occurrence for the osteochondral autograft transplantation group, the allograft transplantation group, and the osteoperiosteal transplantation group were 42% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 24-61), 58% (95% CI = 40-74), and 34% (95% CI = 12-67), respectively, without any significant differences noted. No relationship between the presence of cysts and clinical outcomes was found.ConclusionPostoperative cystic occurrence is common after osteochondral autograft transplantation (42%), allograft transplantation (58%), and osteoperiosteal transplantation (34%) in osteochondral lesions of the talus-without significant intertreatment differences. The postoperative presence of cysts was not correlated with clinical outcomes. Future research should assess whether the postoperative presence of cysts correlates with (clinical) outcomes at longer follow-up.Level of Evidence:Level IV, systematic review and meta-analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"408-419"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11999998/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143981708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk of Chondral Fracture During Implantation of Distal Femur Osteochondral Autograft Plugs: A Human Cadaveric Comparison of Four Different Donor Regions.","authors":"Patrick A Massey, Daniel Hayward, Christian Bonner, Wayne Scalisi, Ryan Taylor, Elise Vincent, Robert W Rutz, Giovanni F Solitro","doi":"10.1177/19476035241308535","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035241308535","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionDistal femoral cartilage lesions can be treated using osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT). When impacting plugs into a recipient site, the cartilage may fracture. This study aimed to analyze OAT donor regions and impaction energies to identify characteristics that lead to fracture.MethodsFifteen cadaver femurs were used with OAT plugs harvested from the following regions: lateral and medial trochlea (LT and MT), lateral and medial intercondylar notch (LIN and MIN). Plugs were impacted into a bone surrogate block using a custom anvil-type system with pre-determined impact heights; 30, 50, 70, and 90 mm. Each plug's cartilage was examined and determined to be intact or fractured. Chi-square was used to compare the rate of chondral fracture for each region.ResultsIn all, 221 plugs were included. The overall rate of chondral fracture was 45.7%. There was a significant difference in the rate of fracture between regions, with LIN, MIN, LT, and MT, having a fracture rate of 46.6%, 62.7%, 25.0%, and 51.9%, respectively (<i>P</i> = 0.001). An impact height of 30 mm resulted in a fracture rate of 17.7%. Increasing the impact height from 30 to 50 mm resulted in significantly increased chondral fracture risk (<i>P</i> = 0.001).ConclusionDifferent donor regions have varying rates of chondral fracture during OAT plug impaction, with the lateral and medial trochlea being the most resistant to chondral fracture at lower forces. Increased impact energy increases risk of chondral fracture. Surgeons should maintain caution and utilize lower impact energy when inserting OAT plugs.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"845-852"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11660097/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Patients with Knee Cartilage Lesions Treated with a Cell-Free Scaffold Implantation.","authors":"Luca De Marziani, Angelo Boffa, Marco Franceschini, Luca Andriolo, Alessandro Di Martino, Stefano Zaffagnini, Giuseppe Filardo","doi":"10.1177/19476035251322730","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251322730","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to establish the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds for the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores in patients affected by knee chondral and osteochondral lesions treated with cell-free scaffold implantation.DesignFor the MCID definition, 186 patients who underwent an osteochondral scaffold implantation were included. Patients were evaluated through the IKDC subjective and VAS pain scores at baseline, 12 and 24 months. The MCID was calculated using a distribution-based method for both IKDC subjective and VAS pain scores at 12 and 24 months, as well as with an anchor-based method.ResultsThe MCID values were 10.1 and 1.5 for the IKDC subjective and VAS pain scores, respectively, both at 12 and 24 months of follow-up. The rate of patients who achieved the MCID was 83% at 12 months and 88% at 24 months. The anchor-based method led to higher MCID values. Factors identified to increase the probability to reach the MCID were younger age (<i>P</i> = 0.042), male sex (<i>P</i> = 0.042), and lateral femoral condyle lesions (<i>P</i> = 0.002), while patellar lesions were less likely to reach the MCID (<i>P</i> = 0.009).ConclusionsThis study defined the MCID values for the IKDC subjective and VAS pain scores after treatment with a cell-free biomimetic scaffold, with 88% of the patients achieving clinically relevant results at 2 years. Younger patients, males and lateral femoral condyle lesions were more likely to reach the MCID. However, the identified thresholds can be influenced by the method chosen, which warrants caution when interpreting study results.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"340-346"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11999993/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143968203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentration on the Short-term Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis.","authors":"Nanako Yamamoto, Yoshitomo Saita, Yohei Kobayashi, Takanori Wakayama, Sayuri Uchino, Yasumasa Momoi, Ryosuke Nakajima, Takaya Ohtaki, Haruka Kaneko, Muneaki Ishijima","doi":"10.1177/19476035251352178","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251352178","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionThis study investigates the association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment outcomes, as well as the role of other cytokines in symptom improvement.MethodsThirty-nine patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) who underwent PRP therapy were analyzed. Cytokine and growth factor levels in PRP were measured, and clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) before and 1 month after a single intra-articular PRP injection. Correlations between cytokine levels and clinical improvements were evaluated.ResultsAge correlated positively with C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9) (r = 0.50, p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) correlated negatively with interleukin-10 (IL-10) and positively with interleukin-18 (IL-18). Elevated IL-18 levels correlated with worse KOOS-Activities of Daily Living (ADL) improvements (r = -0.410, <i>P</i> = 0.01), linking obesity, inflammation, and reduced PRP efficacy. While VEGF showed no association with patient background, higher VEGF levels correlated with poorer VAS score improvements (r = -0.381, <i>P</i> = 0.017), suggesting reduced PRP efficacy. A VEGF cut-off of 120 pg/ml identified non-responders with 82.6% sensitivity, 56.2% specificity, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.71. Among patients with VEGF ≥120 pg/ml, the response rate was 26.9%, while those with VEGF <120 pg/ml had 75%.ConclusionsHigher VEGF concentrations in PRP were associated with reduced short-term clinical efficacy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. VEGF may serve as a predictive biomarker for PRP treatment response.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"490-499"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12228642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144567142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of MACI (Autologous Cultured Chondrocytes on Porcine Collagen Membrane) in the United States: Expanded Experience over 5,000 Cases.","authors":"Eric M Milliron, Parker A Cavendish, James Carey, Tyler Barker, David C Flanigan","doi":"10.1177/19476035251319404","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251319404","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveTo determine whether there are differences in MACI (matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) treatment in the United States, by comparing cartilage defects and patient characteristics between the initial 1,000 patients treated with the next 5,000MethodsFollowing initial analysis of the first 1,000 consecutive patients treated with MACI, data were collected and analyzed for the subsequent 5,000. Patients were identified by MACI lot number and surgery date. Adverse events were summarized with descriptive statistics. Group differences were assessed with <i>t</i>-tests and chi-square, with significance set at <i>P</i> < 0.05.ResultsFive thousand adults (5,198 knees) were implanted with MACI by 1,130 surgeons. Patient sex (male 49.2%) was evenly split, and the mean age was 33.6 years. Most patients had a single cartilage defect treated, and the mean defect size was 4.4 cm². The patella was the most treated surface (38.4%), followed by the medial femoral condyle (25.7%). Most patients (85.5%) had concomitant surgical procedures at the time of cartilage biopsy procurement. There were statistically significant differences in the number of patella (<i>P</i> < 0.001), medial femoral condyle (<i>P</i> < 0.001), and \"not specified\" (<i>P</i> = 0.008) between groups. Mean defect size and mean total defect size were both larger (<i>P</i> < 0.001 and <i>P</i> = 0.009, respectively) in the subsequent 5,000 patients.ConclusionThe utilization of MACI has remained consistent. Patient demographics and concomitant surgical procedures between the first 1,000 MACI patients and subsequent 5,000 MACI patients were comparable. Patellofemoral defects were the most treated in both subsets, and an overall low rate of adverse events was observed.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"331-339"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11982059/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143810552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential Responses of Articular Chondrocytes from Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Rats to Glucose Conditions and Inflammatory Stimuli: Influence of a Vitamin K2 Enriched Diet.","authors":"Vivienne Rüdig, Tobias Braun, Nils Fleischmann, Alexander Reinhardt, Julius Wehrmann, Clemens Gögele, Maria Kokozidou, Christian Werner, Ingo Mrosewski, Gundula Schulze-Tanzil","doi":"10.1177/19476035251317091","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251317091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveMeanwhile, the association between osteoarthritis (OA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is well known. However, it remains unclear whether vitamin K2 (vit.K2) could exert chondroprotective effects. Hence, this study investigates the interrelation between OA and T2DM under the influence of vit.K2 in chondrocytes.MethodsUsing an <i>in vitro</i> OA/T2DM model, articular chondrocytes were harvested from adult male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) Leptfa/Crl rats, categorized as non-diabetic (heterozygous: fa/+) or diabetic (homozygous: fa/fa). Based on vit.K2 supplementation of the rats, four groups arose: control without or with vit.K2 and diabetic without or with vit.K2 supplementation. Inflammatory conditions simulating OA were induced by exposing chondrocytes to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and C5a. Chondrocyte response was analyzed using proliferation, metabolic and wound healing assays, immunolabeling, as well as gene expression analyses.ResultsThe proliferation of chondrocytes from control rats with vit.K2 supplementation was significantly higher than those without vit.K2 feeding, under both normoglycemic (NG) and hyperglycemic (HG) conditions. The wound closure ability of chondrocytes was significantly higher in the non-diabetic compared with the diabetic chondrocyte donor group. TNFα and C5a exerted catabolic effects under HG conditions by significantly inducing <i>Tnf</i><i>α</i> gene activity in chondrocytes of control rats without vit.K2 supplementation and a significant reduction of collagen type 2 gene expression in those cells of control rats with vit.K2 supplementation.ConclusionsThe response of chondrocytes derived from non-diabetic and diabetic donors differed. The vit.K2 supply of chondrocyte donor rats exerted anabolic effects on chondrocytes.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"588-604"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11948243/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143677034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) of the Knee in Professional Soccer Players.","authors":"Goetz Hannes Welsch, Marc Regier, Karl-Heinz Frosch, Milena L Pachowsky, Frank Oliver Henes, Gerhard Adam, Kai-Jonathan Maas, Malte Lennart Warncke","doi":"10.1177/19476035251329571","DOIUrl":"10.1177/19476035251329571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>ObjectiveThe goal of our study was to assess the prevalence of osteoarthritis in the knee joint of active male professional soccer players by means of the semi-quantitative Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS).DesignMagnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) of both knees were performed on 85 male professional soccer players during their \"medicals\" (age = 24 ± 4 years). All baseline data (age, playing position) were obtained. Based on the WORMS, the status of the cartilage and bone in the medial and lateral femoro-tibial joint (MFTJ and LFTJ), as well as the patellofemoral joint was assessed. Menisci and ligaments were evaluated separately. The final score was the sum of all regional scores.ResultsThe mean WORMS of the 170 knee joints was 13.3 ± 13.5 points (range = 0-111, achievable scores: 0-290). Cartilage changes were the most common pathologies, observed in 141 of the 170 knee joints. Structural cartilage lesions (WORMS ≥ 2) were observed in 54% of the studied knees. Pathologies of the medial meniscus were associated with cartilage damage of the corresponding MFTJ (r = 0.424, <i>P</i> < 0.0001). The same effect was observed for the lateral meniscus and the corresponding LFTJ (r = 0.553, <i>P</i> < 0.0001). However, lateral meniscal lesions could be correlated with more other joint pathologies compared to medial meniscal lesions. Total WORMS correlated significantly with increasing age (r = 0.386, <i>P</i> = 0.001).ConclusionThe provided data show the high incidence of knee joint damage in professional football players. In particular, the lateral meniscus appears to play a critical role.</p>","PeriodicalId":9626,"journal":{"name":"CARTILAGE","volume":" ","pages":"267-277"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11977613/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143787776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}