Table 6: A summary of investigations of the articular cartilage.

First author

T2 value

Thickness

SA

General volume

Tibial volume

Patellar volume

Femur volume

Caglar [57]

ND

Joseph [58]

FMF

NDE

Mosher [59]

ND

Draper [61]

M

Eckstein [62]

M

Eckstein [60]

ND

ND

M

Antony [55]

M

Berry [56]

M

M

Ding [35]

M

Nishimura [54]

Mb

NDa

Cicuttini [63]

Ma

Ma

Otterness [33]

Ma

Ma

Ma

Beattie [64]

M

M

M

Eckstein [65]

NDP,LT

M

M

M

M

Faber [34]

Mb

NDa

Mb

NDa

Mb

NDa

Berry [66]

M

SUMMARY

Majority show no sex difference

Most show greater thickness in males, although 3/8 studies suggest no difference

Mostly show greater surface area in males, although controversial after adjustment

Greater in males without adjustment; 50% say greater in males with adjustment vs.  no difference

Greater in males

Greater in males

Greater in males

ND: No statistical difference; F: Greater/larger in females; M: Greater/larger in males; Xa: With adjustments (such as weight, height, BMI, bone length); Xb: Without adjustments (such as weight, height, BMI, bone length); XMF: Medial femur only; XP: Patella only; XLT: Lateral tibia only; XE: Elsewhere.