Bariatric Surgery Effects on Knee Articular Cartilage and Osteoarthritis Symptoms – a 12-month Follow-up Using T2 Relaxation Time and WOMAC Index

Obesity is a common risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). We set out to study knee cartilage using T2 relaxation time, and knee OA symptoms with WOMAC OA index in obese individuals. Bariatric surgery patients were split into successful and unsuccessful weight loss groups, and compared with a control group of obese individuals over a 12-month follow-up. The lesser weight loss group displayed improvement of cartilage with lower T2 values in the lateral compartment of femoral cartilage, compared to the higher weight loss. We also observed improvement of knee symptoms in both successful and unsuccessful weight loss groups after 12 months.