Is the immediate effect of marathon running on novice runners’ knee joints sustained within 6 months after the run? A follow-up 3.0 T MRI study

• Published in: Skeletal radiology 2020-08, Vol.49 (8), p.1221-1229
• Main Authors: Horga, Laura Maria, Henckel, Johann, Fotiadou, Anastasia, Hirschmann, Anna C., Di Laura, Anna, Torlasco, Camilla, D’Silva, Andrew, Sharma, Sanjay, Moon, James C., Hart, Alister J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Athletic Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Bone marrow; Bone Marrow - diagnostic imaging; Cartilage; Cartilage (articular); Cartilage, Articular - diagnostic imaging; Edema; Edema - diagnostic imaging; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Imaging; Joints (anatomy); Knee; Knee Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Knee Joint - diagnostic imaging; Lesions; Longitudinal Studies; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Marathon Running - injuries; Marathons; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Nuclear Medicine; Orthopedics; Pathology; Prospective Studies; Radiology; Running; Scientific; Scientific Article; Training
• ISSN: 0364-2348; 1432-2161
• DOI: 10.1007/s00256-020-03391-2

Objective To evaluate changes in the knee joints of asymptomatic first-time marathon runners, using 3.0 T MRI, 6 months after finishing marathon training and run. Materials and methods Six months after their participation in a baseline study regarding their knee joints, 44 asymptomatic novice marathoners (17 males, 27 females, mean age 46 years old) agreed to participate in a repeat MRI investigation: 37 completed both a standardized 4-month-long training programme and the marathon (marathon runners); and 7 dropped out during training (pre-race dropouts). The participants already underwent bilateral 3.0 T MRIs: 6 months before and 2 weeks after their first marathon, the London Marathon 2017. This study was a follow-up assessment of their knee joints. Each knee structure was assessed using validated scoring/grading systems at all time points. Results Two weeks after the marathon, 3 pre-marathon bone marrow lesions and 2 cartilage lesions showed decrease in radiological score on MRI, and the improvement was sustained at the 6-month follow-up. New improvements were observed on MRI at follow-up: 5 pre-existing bone marrow lesions and 3 cartilage lesions that remained unchanged immediately after the marathon reduced in their extent 6 months later. No further lesions appeared at follow-up, and the 2-week post-marathon lesions showed signs of reversibility: 10 of 18 bone marrow oedema-like signals and 3 of 21 cartilage lesions decreased on MRI. Conclusion The knees of novice runners achieved sustained improvement, for at least 6 months post-marathon, in the condition of their bone marrow and articular cartilage.