Abstract #1239

Koff M, Amrami K, Kaufman K

Joint space width (JSW) is routinely measured to assess stage of osteoarthritis within diarthrodial joints. This study examined the relationship between patellar cartilage T2 values and patello-femoral JSW measurements. 113 subjects were enrolled in the study. T2 values of patellar cartilage were calculated from a series of T2 weighted images. A series of sagittal spiral fast SPGR images were acquired for patello-femoral JSW measurements. No correlation was found between T2 and JSW for combined and individual stages of patello-femoral OA. Measurement of patello-femoral JSW may not be used as a surrogate for patellar cartilage T2 values.