Patellar and Femoral Bone Morphology Is Associated With Overweight and Sports Participation in Young Adolescents

Journal Article (2025)
Author(s)

Rosemarijn van Paassen (Erasmus MC)

Nazli Tumer (TU Delft - Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics)

Jukka Hirvasniemi (TU Delft - Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control, Erasmus MC)

Tom M. Piscaer (Erasmus MC)

Amir A. Zadpoor (TU Delft - Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics)

Stefan Klein (Erasmus MC)

Sita M.A. Bierma-Zeinstra (Erasmus MC)

Edwin H.G. Oei (Erasmus MC)

Marienke van Middelkoop (Erasmus MC)

Research Group
Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.70089 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics
Journal title
Journal of Orthopaedic Research
Issue number
12
Volume number
43
Pages (from-to)
2221-2232
Downloads counter
3
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Abstract

High levels of physical activity or high BMI during puberty could negatively influence bone and cartilage development. Little is known about the effects of loading on patellar and femoral bone shape in a young population. Therefore, we aim to identify the association between 3D patella and femur shape and biomechanical loading in a young adolescent population. Participants were selected from an ongoing cohort study (Generation-R study). Participants that underwent knee-MRI at 13 years-old follow-up were included. Patellae and femora were segmented from these MRIs and using these 3D models, statistical shape modeling was performed. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the association between loading (BMI, physical activity and sports participation) and shape variation. Bonferroni correction was used to correct for multiple testing. 1912 participants underwent MRI of which 3638 patellae and 3355 femora were included in the statistical shape models. Nine patellar (modes 1–7, 10 and 11) and nine femoral (modes 1–3, 6–10 and 14) shape modes were associated with BMI. Sports participation at thirteen years old was associated with one patellar (mode 1) and two femoral (modes 1 and 6) shape modes. One shape mode (mode 12) was associated with sports participation at 9 and 13 years old. Sports participation and BMI were significantly associated with bone shape variations. BMI was associated with most shape variations found in our statistical shape models, emphasizing the significant impact of BMI on bone morphology during adolescence with implications for musculoskeletal health and injury prevention.