Correlation of high signal intensity of infrapatellar fat pad on symptoms and structure of knee osteoarthritis

SONG Yuke; XU Jinfan; HE Xiaoming; LIN Tianye; HE Mincong; SHAO Min; WEI Qiushi

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2024.23.015

Abstract：Objective To analyze the correlation between high signal intensity of infrapatellar fat pad(IPFP)and symptoms and structural changes of osteoarthritis of the knee in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee based on image digitization.Methods Imaging and clinical data of patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)were retrospectively analyzed.The differences in knee osteoarthritis symptoms and structural changes in patients with different IPFP high signal intensities were compared,and the relationship between IPFP high signal intensity changes and knee osteoar-thritis symptoms as well as structural changes was also analyzed.Results A total of 219 patients(268 knees)were collected and completed imaging measurements and evaluations,and the median IPFP high signal intensity(27.40％)was used to compare the groups.The IPFP high signal intensity ≥ 27.40％group had a significantly higher degree of tibial cartilage damage,changes in knee angle,pain,and total scores on the osteoarthritis index(western ontario and mcMaster).universities osteoarthritis index(WOMAC)were significantly higher than those in the IPFP high signal intensity＜27.40％group,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05);IPFPF high signal inten-sity changes were associated with knee pain,joint line convergence angle,JLCA,and knee joint angle.Angle(JLCA),knee kellgren-Lawrence(KL)classification,and the degree of femoral and tibial cartilage damage were significantly positively correlated(P＜0.05).Conclusion In patients with KOA,there is a significant correlation between IPFP high signal intensity changes and knee pain symptoms as well as structural changes,which may be an important factor influencing the progression of KOA.