Patellar tendinosis (PT) is common and can result in prolonged disability, especially in jumping athletes. Recently developed ultra-short-echo (UTE) MRI sequences allow for quantitative evaluation of tendon biostructure with T2* relaxometry. This study evaluated the relationships between changes over time (COT) in quantitative T2*-metrics, qualitative PT grades, and patient reported symptoms within 10 male basketball players from a single collegiate basketball team. All subjects completed weekly VISA-P symptomology questionnaires over the basketball season. Bilateral 3-Tesla MRIs (GE Healthcare) were obtained at pre- and post-season study visits. High-resolution, PD-weighted, FSE sequences were used to qualitatively grade PT. Quantitative T2*-metrics were evaluated using high-resolution, 3D, multi-echo, UTE-MRI sequences. Bilinear exponential fits of SI to corresponding echo time were used to calculate T2*-metrics. All qualitative and quantitative evaluations were region specific (proximal, middle, distal). Linear mixed effects models assessed associations of side and region with T2*-metrics. Spearman correlations evaluated relationships between outcome measures. Within and between study visits, significant side-to-side differences in T2*-metrics were found and were significantly impacted by leg dominance (p<0.05). Pre-season T2*-metrics correlated with COT in T2*-metrics, COT in T2*-metrics correlated with COT in qualitative PT grades, and post-season T2*-metrics correlated with max changes in VISA-P scores (ρ≥0.64). Quantitative T2*-metrics can detect PT and may be capable of predicting the onset of pathology. T2*-metrics could benefit the clinical management of PT: it is sensitive to changes in pathologic severity over time, and therefore can serve as a quantitative metric to guide treatment and evaluate intervention efficacy.
This investigation of elite male collegiate basketball players aims to determine 1) the change in 3D dynamic functional variables across a single season and 2) correlate cross-season changes in functional variables with changes in clinical and quantitative ultrasound measures. Eleven male college basketball players (mean age 19, range 18–21 years) from a single team underwent baseline patellar tendon shear wave (SW) elastography and dynamic function at the start of the season (Visit1) and at a late-season time point (Visit2). Players reported their VISA-P scores every two weeks across their 24-week season. Each athlete performed a box-ground-box jump five times while 3D lower extremity kinematic and kinetic variables were collected. Functional measures included for landing (LAND) and take-off (TOFF) phases: knee valgus angle, valgus torque, and peak limb force. Knee valgus angular impulse and ground contact time were also measured. Paired t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients (