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Vastus medialis fat infiltration - a modifiable determinant of knee cartilage loss

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 11:49 authored by Teichtahl, AJ, Wluka, AE, Wang, Y, Wijethilake, PN, Strauss, BJ, Proietto, J, Dixon, JB, Graeme JonesGraeme Jones, Forbes, A, Cicuttini, FM

Background: There is growing interest in the role of intramuscular fat and how it may influence clinical outcomes. Vastus medialis (VM) is a functionally important quadriceps muscle that helps to stabilise the knee joint. This longitudinal study examined the determinants of VM fat infiltration and whether VM fat infiltration influenced knee cartilage volume.

Methods: 250 participants without any diagnosed arthropathy were assessed at baseline between 2005 and 2008, and 197 participants at follow-up between 2008 and 2010. Ambulatory and sporting activity were assessed and magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine knee cartilage volume and VM fat infiltration.

Results: Age, female gender, BMI and weight were positively associated with baseline VM fat infiltration (P ≤ 0.03), while ambulatory and sporting activity were negatively associated with VM fat infiltration (P ≤ 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, a reduction in VM fat infiltration was associated with a reduced annual loss of medial tibial (β = −10 mm3; 95% CI −19 to 0 mm3; P = 0.04) and patella (β = −18 mm3; 95% CI −36 to 0 mm3; P = 0.04) cartilage volume.

Conclusion: This community-based study of healthy adults has shown that VM fat infiltration can be modified by lifestyle factors including weight loss and exercise, and reducing fat infiltration in VM has beneficial effect on knee cartilage preservation. The findings suggest that modifying VM fat infiltration via lifestyle interventions may have the potential to reduce the risk of knee OA.

History

Publication title

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Volume

23

Issue

12

Pagination

2150-2157

ISSN

1063-4584

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

W B Saunders Co Ltd

Place of publication

32 Jamestown Rd, London, England, Nw1 7By

Rights statement

Copyright 2015 Osteoarthritis Research Society International

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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    University Of Tasmania

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