Abstract: Disclosed, in one general aspect, is a musculoskeletal imaging system that includes a source of feature data extracted from imaging data resulting from imaging acquisitions from joints of different individuals affected by different diseases, and this feature data includes disease characteristic categorization information for a plurality of disease categories. A comparison module is operative to compare patient imaging data resulting from an imaging acquisition from a joint of a patient with the feature data. The comparison module is also operative to provide at least one categorization indicator for the patient imaging data that indicates a correspondence between spatial information in the patient imaging data and the disease categories for which there is extracted categorization information in the feature data.

Abstract: Disclosed, in one general aspect, is a musculoskeletal imaging system that includes a source of feature data extracted from imaging data resulting from imaging acquisitions from joints of different individuals affected by different diseases, and this feature data includes disease characteristic categorization information for a plurality of disease categories. A comparison module is operative to compare patient imaging data resulting from an imaging acquisition from a joint of a patient with the feature data. The comparison module is also operative to provide at least one categorization indicator for the patient imaging data that indicates a correspondence between spatial information in the patient imaging data and the disease categories for which there is extracted categorization information in the feature data.

Abstract: Treating or preventing degeneration or destruction of articular cartilage and/or subchondral bone in the affected joint of a mammal is accomplished by administering a compound of formula (I), wherein the variables have the meanings given in the present description. A preferred compound of formula (I) is formula (II).

Abstract: In one general aspect, the invention features an MRI image processing method that includes accessing a first MRI data set including two-dimensional planar MRI images of a first hip of a first patient. Each of the images is positioned with respect to a virtual axis at a different angle so as to distribute the images axially around the virtual axis. The virtual axis is defined as an axis that runs from the fovea through the femoral neck of the femur of the first patient. The method also includes segmenting bone and cartilage surfaces in the first MRI data set.

Abstract: Disclosed, in one general aspect, is a musculoskeletal imaging system that includes a source of feature data extracted from imaging data resulting from imaging acquisitions from joints of different individuals affected by different diseases, and this feature data includes disease characteristic categorization information for a plurality of disease categories. A comparison module is operative to compare patient imaging data resulting from an imaging acquisition from a joint of a patient with the feature data. The comparison module is also operative to provide at least one categorization indicator for the patient imaging data that indicates a correspondence between spatial information in the patient imaging data and the disease categories for which there is extracted categorization information in the feature data.

Abstract: An orthopedic magnetic resonance imaging system is disclosed. This system includes a source of magnetic resonance imaging data sets resulting from successive magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions from a diseased joint of a patient. A segmentation module segments surfaces in the joint based on information contained within at least one of the data sets, and a registration module spatially registers, in three dimensions, information represented by a first of the data sets with respect to information represented by one or more further data sets for the same patient. A comparison module detects differences between information represented by the data sets caused by progression of the disease in the joint of the patient between acquisitions. A cross-patient comparison module can compare detected differences for the patient with detected differences for at least one other patient.

Abstract: Treating or preventing degeneration or destruction of articular cartilage and/or subchondral bone in the affected joint of a mammal is accomplished by administering a compound of formula (I), wherein the variables have the meanings given in the present description. A preferred compound of formula (I) is formula (II). This treatment ameliorates, diminishes, actively treats, reverses or prevents any injury, damage or loss of articular cartilage or subchondral bone subsequent to said early stage of said degeneration.

Abstract: Methods of treating osteoarthritis by administering an therapeutically effective amount of NOS inhibitor are provided.

Abstract: Methods of treating osteoarthritis by administering an therapeutically effective amount of NOS inhibitor are provided.

Abstract: A method and a composition for the preventative treatment of osteoarthritis comprising the periodic administration to a mammal suffering of this disease of a composition comprising an amount of Human recombinant Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist effective for reducing the progression of lesions and cartilage degradation.