New research reveals that even seemingly healthy adults in their thirties may already exhibit early signs of knee joint damage.
MRI scans show early knee joint
damage is common in symptom-free adults in their thirties.
Mild structural
changes in the knees are showing up on MRI scans in adults as young as their
early thirties—even in people who have no knee pain or symptoms at all. In a
new study from the University of Oulu, researchers discovered signs of early
joint damage in more than half of the 33-year-olds they examined. The strongest
link to these changes was a higher body mass index (BMI), making weight a key factor in
early joint wear.
The findings come from the Northern
Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (NFBC1986), a long-running research project tracking
the health of thousands of individuals. In this part of the study, 297
participants took part in detailed health assessments. They gave blood samples
and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their knees. On
average, the participants were 33.7 years old.
Common
Structural Findings in Knee MRI
The most common findings were minor articular
cartilage defects, particularly between the kneecap and thighbone, observed in
over half of those imaged. Cartilage defects were also found in the joint
between the shinbone and thighbone in about a quarter of participants. In
addition, small bone spurs, or osteophytes, were detected in more than half of
the group, although these were generally small.
Researchers identified a higher body mass index as the
clearest factor linked to the MRI findings.
“Weight in particular seems to be associated with
structural changes in the knee joint, as height had a much smaller effect
compared to body mass index. These results highlight the importance of weight
management in preventing joint diseases,” says Joona Tapio, a specialist
trainee doctor and researcher at the Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular
Medicine.
Implications for
Imaging and Clinical Practice
“The use of knee
MRI is increasing, often for very good reasons. Modern imaging technologies
reveal even minor osteoarthritis-like changes. As with lumbar spine imaging, it
is crucial to interpret knee findings within the broader clinical context and
to adhere to appropriate imaging guidelines,” says Antti Kemppainen,
radiologist and researcher at the Faculty of Medicine.
Although most participants were asymptomatic, the findings suggest that structural changes in joints can occur before clear symptoms develop. The researchers stress the need for longitudinal studies to determine which factors predict the progression of these changes later in life.
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