Semi-Automatic MRI Segmentation for Assessing Cartilage Volume Changes After Ankle Distraction Arthroplasty Using the Ilizarov Frame for Ankle Osteoarthritis

Authors

Artyom M. Lutsenko, Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russian Federation AND Zhukovsky Regional Clinical Hospital, Moscow region, Russian Federation
Abdelrazzaq K.A.J. Alhabashneh, Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russian FederationFollow
Aleksey P. Prizov, Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russian Federation AND City Clinical Hospital named after V.V. Vinogradov, Moscow, Russian Federation
Alik V. Karpenko, Zhukovsky Regional Clinical Hospital, Moscow region, Russian Federation
Georgii A. Airapetov, Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russian Federation AND City Clinical Hospital named after Akademika G. M. Savel'yevoy , Moscow, Russian Federation
Nikolai V. Zagorodnii, Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russian Federation AND City Clinical Hospital named after Akademika G. M. Savel'yevoy , Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the effectiveness of ankle distraction arthroplasty (ADA) using the Ilizarov frame in treating end-stage ankle osteoarthritis (OA) by evaluating changes in cartilage volume through semi-automatic MRI segmentation. Methods: The study involved 42 end-stage post-traumatic ankle OA patients from 2021 to 2023. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were conducted before surgery and 12 months post-treatment. Changes in cartilage volume of the talus and tibia were measured using semi-automatic segmentation methods. statistical significance was assessed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Out of 42 patients, 10 completed the study with MRI scans of sufficient quality. Significant increases in cartilage volume were observed: talus cartilage increased by 247.48 mm³ (P = 0.019) and tibia cartilage by 272.65 mm³ (P = 0.012). These results suggest a regenerative effect on cartilage tissue following ADA. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that ADA using the Ilizarov frame is effective in increasing cartilage volume in patients with end-stage ankle OA. Semi-automatic MRI segmentation is a reliable method for monitoring these changes. Further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to validate these findings and assess long-term outcomes.

Publication Date

10-7-2025

First Page

904

Last Page

911

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Lutsenko, Artyom M.; Alhabashneh, Abdelrazzaq K.A.J.; Prizov, Aleksey P.; Karpenko, Alik V.; Airapetov, Georgii A.; and Zagorodnii, Nikolai V. (2025) "Semi-Automatic MRI Segmentation for Assessing Cartilage Volume Changes After Ankle Distraction Arthroplasty Using the Ilizarov Frame for Ankle Osteoarthritis," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal: Vol. 25: 904-911.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.2917