Purpose: 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 and T2 mapping to detect and quantify cartilage matrix and meniscal degeneration between normal healthy volunteers and early osteoarthritis patients. Material and methods: A prospective study including 25 patients and 10 healthy volunteers was done. Patients with symptoms of early osteoarthritis and Kellgren-Lawrence grade I-II on plain radiograph were included for MRI knee. Patients with inflammatory arthritis, infection, trauma, and history of knee surgery were excluded. Healthy, normal adult volunteers (preferably age and sex matched) without symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee were drawn from patient's relatives/hospital employees/colleagues for MRI knee. Results: T1 and T2 relaxation time values of articular cartilage and menisci were significantly higher in osteoarthritis patients as compared to healthy volunteers. No significant difference was found in morphological thickness of articular cartilage and menisci in early osteoarthritis patients and healthy volunteers. Conclusions: T1 and T2 mapping are noninvasive MRI techniques reflecting changes in the biochemical composition of cartilage and menisci. T1 values reflect changes in proteoglycan content, and T2 values are sensitive to interaction between water molecules and collagen network. Mapping techniques assess early cartilage and meniscal matrix degeneration in osteoarthritis of the knee, and help in initiating treatment and monitoring disease progression. MRI is a sensitive modality for assessment of pathological changes in articular cartilage. With use of T1 and T2 mapping techniques, it is possible to evaluate the collagen network and proteoglycan content in articular cartilage and meniscal matrix.