The association between change in bone marrow lesion size and change in tibiofemoral cartilage volume and knee symptoms

Objective. To describe the association between change in subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) and change in tibiofemoral cartilage volume and knee symptoms in patients with symptomatic knee OA. Methods. In total, 251 participants (mean 61.7 years, 51% female) were included. Tibiofemoral cartilage volume was measured at baseline and 24 months, and BML size at baseline, 6 and 24 months. Knee pain and function scores were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 24 months. Change in total and compartment-specific BML size was categorized according to the Least Significance Criterion. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the associations of change in BMLs over 6 and 24 months with change in cartilage volume over 24 months and knee symptoms over 6 and 24 months. Results. Total BML size enlarged in 26% of participants, regressed in 31% and remained stable in 43% over 24 months. Compared with stable BMLs in the same compartment, enlarging BMLs over 24 months were associated with greater cartilage loss (difference: -53.0mm(3), 95% CI: -100.0, -6.0), and regressing BMLs were not significantly associated with reduced cartilage loss (difference: 32.4mm(3), 95% CI: -8.6, 73.3) over 24 months. Neither enlargement nor regression of total BML size over 6 and 24 months was associated with change in knee pain and function over the same time intervals. Conclusions. In subjects with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and BMLs, enlarging BMLs may lead to greater cartilage loss but regressing lesions are not associated with reduced cartilage loss while neither is associated with change in knee symptoms.

Automated summary

The study found that in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis patients, there is an association between changes in BML size, cartilage volume, and knee symptoms. Enlarging BMLs may lead to greater cartilage loss, but regressing lesions are not associated with reduced cartilage loss, and neither enlargement nor regression of total BML size is associated with changes in knee symptoms.