Detection rate and associated factors of knee bone marrow edema-like signals in amateur marathon runners
10.3760/cma.j.cn114798-20250625-00803
- VernacularTitle:业余马拉松运动员膝关节骨髓水肿样信号的检出率及其关联因素分析
- Author:
Yong CHEN
1
;
Jie LIU
;
Li ZHANG
;
Xinmiao MAO
;
Wanzhen YAO
;
Jing ZHOU
;
Jianping DING
;
Shinong PAN
;
Jian ZHAO
;
Yanjing ZHANG
Author Information
1. 杭州师范大学附属医院医学影像科 杭州市马拉松运动医学研究所，杭州 310000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Athletic injuries;
Knee joint;
Magnetic resonance imaging;
Bone marrow edema-like signal
- From:
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners
2025;24(10):1269-1275
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To evaluate the detection rate, anatomical distribution, and influencing factors of bone marrow edema-like signal (BMELS) in the knees of amateur marathon runners.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. This study publicly recruited amateur marathon runners through the Hangzhou Long-distance Running Association from January 2019 to December 2024. Based on knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, participants were divided into a BMELS-positive group (BMELS present in at least one knee) and a BMELS-negative group. General clinical information was collected from participants using a questionnaire. All participants underwent a knee MRI scan to screen for the presence of BMELS and to assess its severity. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the associated factors of BMELS in amateur marathon runners, while Spearman′s correlation analysis assessed the correlation between BMELS grade and these factors.Results:A total of 60 subjects (120 knee joints) were enrolled, including 39 males (65%), aged (40.0±8.4) years. Of these, 39 were in the BMELS-positive group, and 21 were in the BMELS-negative group. The BMELS detection rate for the 120 knee joints of these 60 subjects was 53.3% (64/120). BMELS were detected in 43.3%(52/120) of the femur, 34.2% (41/120) of tibia and 17.5% (21/120) of patella. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed an independent positive correlation between monthly running volume and knee BMELS in amateur marathon runners ( OR=1.007, 95% CI: 1.000-1.013, P=0.035). Spearman′s correlation analysis showed a weak positive correlation between the BMELS grade of the knees and the monthly running volume of amateur marathon runners ( r s=0.360, P=0.005). Conclusions:The detection rate of knee BMELS is high in amateur marathon runners, and they are distributed in a way that is characteristic of the region, with a higher incidence in the medial femoral condyle. In this population, monthly running volume is independently associated with knee BMELS, with a higher grade associated with greater monthly running volume.
