How Muscle and Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Volume and Density Progress in Knee Osteoarthritis-Affected Subjects: A Virtual Histology Study

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint condition. Despite the prevalence of this pathology, there is still a lack of adequate investigation into the importance of musculature toward KOA. This study investigates the relationship between cartilage degeneration and alterations in the density and volume of the leg's adipose and skeletal muscle tissue (SMT) using an innovative virtual histology technique on computed tomography (CT) images. Subjects diagnosed with KOA and healthy controls were recruited. The analysis revealed that intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) has a great impact on the progression of the disease, KOA patients had higher IMAT volumes and altered muscle volumes. Gender differences were more pronounced in healthy individuals, while degenerative conditions appeared to level these variations. Moreover, muscle and IMAT densities showed a strong correlation with body mass index (BMI). Our findings highlight the significant impact of IMAT on muscle health and function in KOA, emphasizing it as a crucial factor in disease management and progression.