Purpose:

This research investigates the relationship between knee injury and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), a known indicator of joint deterioration in osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods:

170 participants were recruited aged 16-26 years (85 with a sport-related intra-articular knee injury 3-10 years ago and 85 age, sex, and sport-matched controls). Serum samples were collected to evaluate COMP levels before and after physical activity.

Results:

Male participants averaged 15% greater (219.5 ng/ml, 95% CI 11.0–428.0, p = 0.04 serum COMP levels than uninjured controls. Female participants showed no significant elevation (9.8 ng/ml, 95% CI -208.4-227.9, p = 0.93). There were no differences between injured and uninjured participants in change in COMP pre to post exercise.

Conclusions: This research demonstrated differences in baseline COMP values between participants based on history of knee injury in males only. Future research into specific knee injuries may yield insights in COMP’s value identifying risk of OA.