Publication:

Degenerative disease of knee joint: a clinico-radiological correlation

Background This study was done from January 2014 to July 2016, in 128 patients of knee joint osteoarthritis. We assessed epidemiology of osteoarthritis of knee and various MRI findings.

Methods In all the 128 patients radiographs (anteroposterior) were taken in extended and weight bearing position. Staging of osteoarthritis of knee was done using Kellgren-Lawrence scoring system and then we performed magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. All these patients were then interviewed about their clinical symptoms and osteoarthritis of knee was graded by WOMAC scale.

Results Osteoarthritis has a positive correlation with age, female sex and BMI. However occupation of the patient was not associated with any statistical significance. No association was seen between cartilage defects, bone marrow edema, sub chondral cysts, subchondral sclerosis, Baker’s cysts subluxations of tibia and synovitis with clinical features. The patellofemoral compartment of knee joint mostly contributed to the clinical symptoms of the patients in our study population though not being statistically significant (P >0. 05). In tibiofemoral compartment a statistically significant correlation was seen between most of the MRI findings and KL score, however in patellofemoral compartment this correlation is poor.

Conclusions Clinical findings and plain radiographs are still important in evaluating osteoarthritis of knee, MRI plays an important role in imaging the bony and soft tissues of knee as a whole organ, thereby helping in better management and outcome of the disease. Also MRI plays an important role in depicting early changes of osteoarthtis.