We introduce a method for imaging changes in healthy knee cartilage composition after joint loading with exercise that could be extended for use in subjects with joint disease. Six healthy participants were imaged before and at multiple time-points after a mild joint loading exercise. Our study demonstrates that quantitative MR mapping of T1ρ and T2 relaxation times of femorotibial cartilage is repeatable and able to demonstrate changes in cartilage composition in response to short-term joint loading exercise. Imaging cartilage compositional recovery after joint loading may present a new way of detecting early alterations in cartilage homeostasis associated with osteoarthritis.
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