Change of Knee Cartilage Components in Stroke Patients with Genu Recurvatum Analyzed by Zero TE MR Imaging

Abstract -BACKGROUND: Genu recurvatum in stroke patient hemiplegia causes readily cumulative damage and degenerative changes of knee cartilage. It is important to detect early lesions of cartilage for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.-PURPOSE: The purpose is to provide theoretical basis for early rehabilitation of hemiplegia patients. -STUDY TYPE: Cross-sectional study. -POPULATION: 39 Stroke patients with genu recurvatum and 9 healthy volunteers. -SEQUENCE: We used zero TE double echo imaging sequence. -ASSESSMENT: Analyze the water content in knee joint cartilage at 12 different sites of stroke patients with genu recurvatum using a method similar to porosity index. -STATISTICAL TESTS: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 statistical software. The mean ± standard deviation was used to represent the mean. The independent sample t test was used for all mean comparisons. When the data did not conform to the normal distribution or variance heterogeneity, the non-parametric test was used. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.-RESULTS: When compared hemiplegia limb vs. non-hemiplegia limb in patients, the ratio of deep/shallow free water content of the cartilages at the junction of the femur and anterior horn (1.16 vs. 1.06) and posterior horn (1.13 vs. 1.25) of lateral meniscus were significant differences (P<0.05). -DATA CONCLUSION: Conclusion is that Genu recurvatum in stroke patients with hemiplegia can cause changes in moisture content of knee cartilage, and the changes of knee cartilage are more obvious with the increase of genu recurvatum. The so-called "healthy limb" is no longer the real meaning of healthy limb, and should be considered simultaneously with the affected limb in the development of rehabilitation treatment plan.