Association of cartilage defects, and other MRI findings with pain and function in individuals with mild-moderate radiographic hip osteoarthritis and controls

Objective: To evaluate the relationship of hip radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) and MRI findings of cartilage lesions, labral tears, bone marrow edema-like lesions (BMELs) and subchondral cysts with self-reported and physical function. Design: Eighty five subjects were classified as controls (n=55, Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) 0, 1) or having mild-moderate ROA (n=30, KL 2, 3). T₂ weighted MRI images at 3-Twere graded for presence of cartilage lesions, labral tears, BMELs and subchondral cysts. Posterior wall sign, cross-over sign, center-edge angle and alpha angle were also recorded. Function was assessed using Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test and Y-Balance Test (YBT). Analysis compared function between subjects with and without ROA and those with and without femoral or acetabular cartilage lesions, adjusted for age. Non-parametric correlations were used to assess the relationship between radiographic scores, MRI scores and function. Results: Subjects with acetabular cartilage lesions had worse HOOS (Difference=5-10%, P=0.036-0.004), but not TUG or YBT, scores. Acetabular cartilage lesions, BMELs and subchondral cysts were associated with worse HOOS scores (ρ=0.23-0.37, P=0.041-0.001). Differences in function between subjects with and without ROA or femoral cartilage lesions were not significant. Other radiologic findings were not associated with function. Conclusions: Acetabular cartilage defects, but not femoral cartilage defects or ROA, were associated with greater self-reported pain and disability. BMELs and subchondral cysts were related to greater hip related self-reported pain and disability. None of the radiographic or MRI features was related to physical function.