OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based ligamentum teres lesions (LTL) and structural hip degeneration. METHODS: Bilateral 3-T hip MRIs of participants (n = 93 [36 men]
mean age ( ± SD) 51 years ± 15.4) recruited from the community and the orthopedic clinic of a single medical center were included. Clinical and imaging data acquired included hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome scores, semi-quantitative scoring of hip osteoarthritis on MRI (SHOMRI) scores on fluid-sensitive sequences, and cartilage T RESULTS: In 82 (46.1%) hips, no pain was documented
118 (63.4%) and 68 (36.6%) hips were graded as KL-grade ≤ 1 and ≥ 2, respectively. Compared to MRI-LT score = 0 (normal), score = 4 (complete tear) revealed significantly worse subchondral bony degenerative changes for bone marrow lesions (SHOMRI-BML) and subchondral cysts (SHOMRI-sc) (p <
0.001, p = 0.015, respectively). Global acetabular T CONCLUSION: MRI abnormalities of LT are associated with worse SHOMRI-sc/BML scores, indicative of hip osteoarthritis and higher T CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Abnormal ligamentum teres findings identified via MRI are associated with structural degenerative changes of the hip joint and alterations in acetabular and femoral cartilage compositions show spatial differences in relation to LTL. KEY POINTS: The clinical significance of common ligamentum teres lesions (LTL) on MRI is not well understood. LTL identified by an MRI-based scoring system is associated with worse biomarkers, indicating more advanced degenerative hip changes. Effusion-synovitis signal at pulvinar, shallow fovea capitis, and foveal osteophytes are associated with LTL on imaging.