SERUM CARTILAGE OLIGOMERIC MATRIX PROTEIN: A BIOMARKER FOR ACUTE ARTICULAR CARTILAGE DAMAGE

摘要: OF DISSERTATION SERUM CARTILAGE OLIGOMERIC MATRIX PROTEIN: A BIOMARKER FOR ACUTE ARTICULAR CARTILGE DAMAGE Bone bruise lesions (BBL) are documented on MRIs diagnosing acute knee ligament injury (AKLI). Recent evidence has indicated that a majority of patients sustain an AKLI, especially anterior cruciate (ACL) injury, will develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) 10-20 years following injury. It been proposed the initial damage sustained to articular cartilage overlying BBL causes cascade events may result in PTOA. Researchers have modification treatment protocols for more severe BBL, or stressed need development protective therapies protect cartilage. However, there limited tools available evaluate clinical outcome BBL. Furthermore, be different according differing severities. Therefore, use degradation biomarker, serum oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) and severity classification system useful determine if differences exist between with without The purpose this dissertation was investigate utility sCOMP as biomarker damage. purposes these studies were inter intraday reliability marker, document longitudinally collegiate athletes self-reported pain function AKLI. results measures had strong reliability. Additionally, exercise does seem influence levels; however, elevations not clinically meaningful. levels without, support future research order further elucidate outcomes lesions.