Imaging Techniques in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is one of the leading causes of disability in older adults. The measures of disease progression currently being used to better understand the disease pathogenesis and to measure structural change in clinical trials are most clearly documented in late stages of disease and not early in the disease process, when intervention may be more effective. A large number of epidemiologic and clinical trials currently are underway to identify the most valid and responsive set of end points. Recent studies have provided unique insights into the relationship between the structure identified on imaging and symptom and disease genesis. The purpose of this narrative review is to briefly consider radiographic developments, appraise the developments in magnetic resonance imaging as it pertains to osteoarthritis, and suggest potential areas for further development.