Positive Effect of Weight Loss on Knee Articular Cartilage – a Three-Year Follow-Up Using T2 Relaxation Time

Motivation: Weight loss has been shown to be beneficial for knee symptoms and reducing cartilage degeneration. Goal(s): To examine the impact of weight-loss in obese subjects on articular cartilage in the tibiofemoral joint using T2 relaxation time mapping. Approach: Knees of 65 obese patients undergoing either bariatric surgery or conservative weight loss regimens were imaged at 3T before and three years after treatment. Changes in T2 were assessed in tibiofemoral cartilage. Results: A reduction in body mass index (BMI) was associated with shortened T2 values in tibia, indicating that weight loss may result in improved cartilage quality. Impact: The findings provide supporting evidence for the benefits of weight loss for cartilage health and have relevance in the context of osteoarthritis prevention and treatment.