Visual Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Grading of Thigh Muscle Fatty Infiltration and Bulk Loss in Elderly Patients With Chronic Knee Pain

Semi-quantitative visual MRI assessment reveals substantial muscle degeneration among elderly patients with chronic knee pain, particularly involving the quadriceps. These visual findings correlate strongly with clinical severity and demonstrate high reproducibility, supporting their utility in routine MRI interpretation. Incorporating systematic muscle evaluation into standard knee MRI may help identify patients at risk for functional decline and inform targeted rehabilitation strategies.