MR images were recorded in both knees of the patients assigned to Group II in an unloaded and loaded condition. Standardized knee positioning and axial load application were achieved using an MRI-compatible, pneumatically driven knee brace device (Ergospect GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria), which has recently been described in detail [15 (link)]. Consistent with the US examinations, neutral rotational alignment of the lower leg and 10° of knee flexion were defined as the standard position for image acquisition. With subjects lying in the supine position, the unloaded images were recorded first. Then, axial pressure equivalent to 50% of the individuals' body weight was applied to simulate the bipedal stance.
A MAGNETOM Skyra 3.0 T MRI scanner (Siemens Healthcare AG, Erlangen, Germany) was used for image acquisition. Coronal, sagittal and axial fat-suppressed proton-density-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences were acquired for meniscus assessment in both loading conditions. The following MRI parameters were used: coronal (TR/TE = 4330/30 ms, FOV = 130 × 130 mm, slice thickness = 2 mm), sagittal (TR/TE = 2610/30 ms, FOV = 130 × 130 mm, slice thickness = 2 mm) and axial (TR/TE = 1950/29 ms, FOV = 150 × 150 mm, slice thickness = 2 mm). For lateral ME measurements, the coronal slice, in which the femoral origin of the PT was best visible, was selected.
A MAGNETOM Skyra 3.0 T MRI scanner (Siemens Healthcare AG, Erlangen, Germany) was used for image acquisition. Coronal, sagittal and axial fat-suppressed proton-density-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences were acquired for meniscus assessment in both loading conditions. The following MRI parameters were used: coronal (TR/TE = 4330/30 ms, FOV = 130 × 130 mm, slice thickness = 2 mm), sagittal (TR/TE = 2610/30 ms, FOV = 130 × 130 mm, slice thickness = 2 mm) and axial (TR/TE = 1950/29 ms, FOV = 150 × 150 mm, slice thickness = 2 mm). For lateral ME measurements, the coronal slice, in which the femoral origin of the PT was best visible, was selected.
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