Computed tomography-osteoabsorptiometry for assessing the density distribution of subchondral bone as a measure of long-term mechanical adaptation in individual joints

To estimate subchondral mineralisation patterns which represent the
long-term loading history of individual joints, a method has been
developed employing computed tomography (CT) which permits repeated
examination of living joints. The method was tested on 5 knee, 3
sacroiliac, 3 ankle and 5 shoulder joints and then investigated
with X-ray densitometry. A CT absorptiometric presentation and maps
of the area distribution of the subchondral bone density areas were
derived using an image analyser. Comparison of the results from
both X-ray densitometry and CT-absorptiometry revealed almost
identical pictures of distribution of the subchondral bone density.
The method may be used to examine subchondral mineralisation as a
measure of the mechanical adaptability of joints in the living
subject.