Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A new method for arthroscopic evaluation of low grade degenerated cartilage lesions. Results of a pilot study

• Published in: BMC musculoskeletal disorders 2007-05, Vol.8 (1), p.47-47, Article 47
• Main Authors: Spahn, Gunter, Plettenberg, Holger, Kahl, Enrico, Klinger, Hans M, Mückley, Thomas, Hofmann, Gunther O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Arthroscopy; Arthroscopy - methods; Cartilage Diseases - diagnosis; Cartilage Diseases - pathology; Connective tissue diseases; Diagnosis; Endoscopic surgery; Evaluation; Female; Humans; Joints; Male; Methods; Middle Aged; Near infrared spectroscopy; Pilot Projects; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared - methods
• ISSN: 1471-2474; 1471-2474
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-8-47

Arthroscopy is a highly sensitive method of evaluating high-grade cartilage lesions but the detection of low-grade lesions is often is unreliable. Objective measurements are required. A novel NIRS (near-infrared-spectroscopy) device for detection of low-grade cartilage defects was evaluated in a preliminary clinical study. In 12 patients who had undergone arthroscopy, the cartilage lesions within the medial knee compartment were classified according to the ICRS protocol. With a NIR spectrometer system and an optical probe, similar in design to a hook used for routine arthroscopy, the optical properties of cartilage were measured during arthroscopy. The mean ratio of 2 NIR absorption bands of intact cartilage 3.8 (range 2.3 to 8.7).was significantly lower than that of cartilage with grade 1 lesions (12.8, range 4.8 to 19.6) and grade 2 lesions (13.4, range 10.4 to 15.4).No differences were observed between grade 1 and grade 2 lesions. NIRS can be used to distinguish between ICRS grade 1 lesions and healthy cartilage during arthroscopic surgeries. The results of this clinical study demonstrate the potential of NIRS to objectify classical arthroscopic grading systems.