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Research article
Association of subchondral bone marrow lesion localisation with weight bearing pain in people with knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Koji Aso
Kochi Medical School, Kochi University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3763-9564
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Background Subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) detected on MRI in knee osteoarthritis (OA) are associated with knee pain. The prevalence and progression of subchondral BMLs are increased by mechanical knee load. However, associations of subchondral BML location with weight-bearing knee pain are currently unknown. In this study, we aim to demonstrate associations of subchondral BML location and size with weight-bearing knee pain in knee OA.
Methods We analyzed 1412 and 582 varus knees from cross-sectional and longitudinal Osteoarthritis Initiative datasets, respectively. BML scores were semi-quantitatively analysed with the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score for 4 subchondral regions (median and lateral femorotibial, medial and lateral patellofemoral) and subspinous region. Weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing pain scores were derived from WOMAC pain items. Correlation and negative binomial regression models were used for analysis of associations between the BML scores and pain at baseline, and changes in the BML scores and changes in pain after 24-month follow up.
Results Greater BML scores at medial femorotibial and lateral patellofemoral compartments were associated with greater weight-bearing pain scores, and statistical significance was retained after adjusting for BML scores at the other 4 joint compartments and other OA features, as well as for non-weight-bearing pain, age, sex and Body Mass Index (BMI) (medial femorotibial; B=0.08, p=0.02. patellofemoral; B=0.13, p=0.01). Subanalysis revealed that greater medial femorotibial BML scores were associated with greater pain on walking and standing (B=0.11, p=0.01, and B=0.10, p=0.04, respectively). Lateral patellofemoral BML scores were associated with pain on climbing, respectively B=0.14, p=0.02. Increases or decreases over 24 months in BML score in the medial femorotibial compartment were significantly associated with increases or decreases in weight-bearing pain severity after adjusting for non-weight-bearing pain, age, sex, baseline weight-bearing pain, BMI, and BML at the other 4 joint compartments (B=0.10, p=0.01).
Conclusions Subchondral BML size at the medial femorotibial joint compartment was specifically associated with the severity and the change in weight-bearing pain, independent of non-weight-bearing pain, in knee OA. Specific associations of weight-bearing pain with subchondral BMLs in weight-bearing compartments of the knee indicate that BMLs in subchondral bone contribute to biomechanically-induced OA pain.
Keywords
BMLs, MRI, OA, pain
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This preprint is under consideration at Arthritis Research & Therapy. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Association of subchondral bone marrow lesion localisation with weight bearing pain in people with knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Koji Aso
Kochi Medical School, Kochi University
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3763-9564
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 4
Posted 14 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 04 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 04 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 04 Jan, 2021
No comments provided
Editor assigned
On 16 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 16 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 16 Dec, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 06 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 20 Nov, 2020
Editor assigned
On 17 Nov, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 17 Nov, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 17 Nov, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 17 Nov, 2020
Editor invited
On 17 Nov, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 10 Oct, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 05 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 22 Aug, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 14 Jul, 2020
Editor assigned
On 12 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 11 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 11 Jul, 2020
First submitted
On 10 Jul, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Orthopedic Surgery
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background Subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) detected on MRI in knee osteoarthritis (OA) are associated with knee pain. The prevalence and progression of subchondral BMLs are increased by mechanical knee load. However, associations of subchondral BML location with weight-bearing knee pain are currently unknown. In this study, we aim to demonstrate associations of subchondral BML location and size with weight-bearing knee pain in knee OA.
Methods We analyzed 1412 and 582 varus knees from cross-sectional and longitudinal Osteoarthritis Initiative datasets, respectively. BML scores were semi-quantitatively analysed with the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score for 4 subchondral regions (median and lateral femorotibial, medial and lateral patellofemoral) and subspinous region. Weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing pain scores were derived from WOMAC pain items. Correlation and negative binomial regression models were used for analysis of associations between the BML scores and pain at baseline, and changes in the BML scores and changes in pain after 24-month follow up.
Results Greater BML scores at medial femorotibial and lateral patellofemoral compartments were associated with greater weight-bearing pain scores, and statistical significance was retained after adjusting for BML scores at the other 4 joint compartments and other OA features, as well as for non-weight-bearing pain, age, sex and Body Mass Index (BMI) (medial femorotibial; B=0.08, p=0.02. patellofemoral; B=0.13, p=0.01). Subanalysis revealed that greater medial femorotibial BML scores were associated with greater pain on walking and standing (B=0.11, p=0.01, and B=0.10, p=0.04, respectively). Lateral patellofemoral BML scores were associated with pain on climbing, respectively B=0.14, p=0.02. Increases or decreases over 24 months in BML score in the medial femorotibial compartment were significantly associated with increases or decreases in weight-bearing pain severity after adjusting for non-weight-bearing pain, age, sex, baseline weight-bearing pain, BMI, and BML at the other 4 joint compartments (B=0.10, p=0.01).
Conclusions Subchondral BML size at the medial femorotibial joint compartment was specifically associated with the severity and the change in weight-bearing pain, independent of non-weight-bearing pain, in knee OA. Specific associations of weight-bearing pain with subchondral BMLs in weight-bearing compartments of the knee indicate that BMLs in subchondral bone contribute to biomechanically-induced OA pain.
Figure 1
Figure 2