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.