Radiographs are not useful in detecting arthroscopically confirmed mild chondral damage

Assessing lateral femoral condyle cartilage prior to medial UKA: MRI vs. Valgus stress radiograph

BACKGROUND

The cartilage quality of the lateral compartment needs to be clarified prior to medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Valgus stress radiograph has been recommended as the preferred tool. Some studies also show that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a higher diagnostic value. So, we conducted this study to compare whether valgus stress radiographic lateral joint space width (LJSW) and MRI grading can accurately reflect cartilage quality and its screening value for UKA-suitable patients.

METHODS

One hundred and thirty eight knees proposed for UKA were enrolled prospectively. Valgus stress radiograph was taken to measure LJSW. LJSW > 4 mm was considered normal and suitable for UKA. For weight-bearing area cartilage of lateral femoral condyle, Recht grade was assessed by MRI preoperatively. Recht grades ≤ 2 were treated as non-high-grade injuries while Recht grades > 2 were treated as high-grade injuries. Outerbridge grade was the gold standard and was assessed intraoperatively. Patients with Outerbridge grades 0-2 (non-high-grade injuries) underwent UKA, and patients with Outerbridge grades 3-4 (high-grade injuries) underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The diagnostic parameters of valgus stress radiograph and MRI for the selection of UKA candidates were calculated, and receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Of 138 knees, 120 underwent UKAs, and 18 underwent TKAs. In terms of selecting UKA candidates, the sensitivity was close between MRI (95.0%) and valgus stress radiograph (96.7%), and the specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of MRI (94.4%, 94.9%, 99.1%, 73.9%, respectively) were higher than that of valgus stress radiograph (5.9%, 85.5%, 88.0%, 20.0%, respectively). The difference in area under the curve (AUC) between MRI (0.950) and LJSW (0.602) was significant (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Compared with valgus stress radiograph, MRI has excellent evaluation value in diagnosing lateral weight-bearing cartilage injuries and can be used as a reliable tool for selecting suitable UKA patients.

Radiographic evaluation of knee osteoarthritis in predicting outcomes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity is a predictor of outcomes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading of OA is predictive of postoperative outcomes; this prospective study assessed whether radiographic grading is also predictive of outcomes.

METHODS

Patients who underwent APM between February 2015 and January 2016, underwent radiography and MRI ≤6 months before surgery, and had outcomes from the surgery date and one year later were included. Surgical failure was defined as <10-point improvement in the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain subscore. Radiographs were evaluated using Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading and continuous and ordinal minimum joint space width (mJSW) measurements; cartilage loss on MRI was evaluated using a modified Outerbridge system. Predictive abilities were estimated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The study cohort included 66 knees from 64 patients (32 women; mean age, 57.1 years; range, 45-77). Radiographic grading was not predictive of outcomes (KL, AUC = 0.541 [95% CI: 0.358, 0.724]; continuous mJSW, AUC = 0.482 [95% CI: 0.305, 0.659]; ordinal mJSW, AUC = 0.534 [95% CI: 0.433, 0.634]). Comparison of radiographs showing no joint space narrowing (KL grade 0-2) with corresponding MR images demonstrated that 48% of radiographs missed a clinically significant lesion (modified Outerbridge grade ≥ 3). MRI grading was predictive of outcomes (AUC = 0.720 [95% CI: 0.581, 0.859]).

CONCLUSIONS

Radiographic grading of OA is not predictive of outcomes after APM; radiographs may miss clinically significant lesions. For outcome prediction, MRI should be used.

The impact of limb loading and the measurement modality (2D versus 3D) on the measurement of the limb loading dependent lower extremity parameters

Background

Deformity assessment and preoperative planning of realignment surgery are conventionally based on weight-bearing (WB) radiographs. However, newer technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) preoperative planning and surgical navigation with patient-specific instruments (PSI) rely on non-weight bearing (NWB) computed tomography (CT) data. Additionally, differences between conventional two-dimensional (2D) and 3D measurements are known. The goal of the present study was to systematically analyse the influence of WB and the measurement modality (2D versus 3D) on common WB-dependent measurements used for deformity assessment.

Methods

85 lower limbs could be included. Two readers measured the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) and the joint line convergence angle (JLCA) in 2D WB and 2D NWB radiographs, as well as in CT-reconstructed 3D models using an already established 3D measurement method for HKA, and a newly developed 3D measurement method for JLCA, respectively. Interrater and intermodality reliability was assessed.

Results

Significant differences between WB and NWB measurements were found for HKA (p < 0.001) and JLCA (p < 0.001). No significant difference could be observed between 2D HKA NWB and 3D HKA (p = 0.09). The difference between 2D JLCA NWB and 3D JLCA was significant (p < 0.001). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the interrater agreement was almost perfect for all HKA and 3D JLCA measurements and substantial for 2D JLCA WB and 2D JLCA NWB. ICC for the intermodality agreement was almost perfect between 2D HKA WB and 2D HKA NWB as well as between 2D HKA NWB and 3D HKA, whereas it was moderate between 2D JLCA WB and 2D JLCA NWB and between 2D JLCA NWB and 3D JLCA.

Conclusion

Limb loading results in significant differences for both HKA and JLCA measurements. Furthermore, 2D projections were found to be insufficient to represent 3D joint anatomy in complex cases. With an increasing number of surgical approaches based on NWB CT-reconstructed models, research should focus on the development of 3D planning methods that consider the effects of WB on leg alignment.

Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Scoring System for Distinguishing Early Osteoarthritis Disease States: A Feasibility Study

Early detection of osteoarthritis (OA) remains a diagnostic challenge owing to insensitive diagnostic techniques currently available. Herein a new semiquantitative scoring system, based upon contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CECT) imaging, is described for further refinement of early OA disease staging. Trochlear ridge cartilage defects were surgically created in the femoropatellar joint of an adult horse (ACUC approved protocols). Seven weeks post-surgery, CECT imaging was performed on a clinical scanner after intra-articular injection of a cationic iodinated contrast agent, CA4+, into both injured and control femoropatellar joint compartments. The femoral cartilage surface was densely biopsied, and specimens were assessed for visual (Outerbridge score), functional (equilibrium compressive modulus), and biochemical (glycosaminoglycan content) measures of cartilage quality. Cartilage CECT attenuation was compared with cartilage quality measures using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to establish attenuation thresholds for distinguishing among cartilage quality levels. CECT imaging identifies macroscopically damaged cartilage regions and in morphologically identical tissue provides moderately sensitive and specific semiquantitative segregation of cartilage quality based upon CECT attenuation, reflecting both glycosaminoglycan content and compressive stiffness of cartilage area under the curve (AUC = 0.83 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-0.93] for distinguishing poor quality and AUC = 0.76 [95% CI: 0.65-0.90] for distinguishing healthy quality cartilage). A semiquantitative 6-point scoring system-the Osteoarthritis Attenuation and Morphological Assessment (OAMA) score-is proposed as a tool for assessing cartilage quality from CECT images. The OAMA scoring system expands the current disease staging capability of early OA by inclusion of morphological, biochemical, and biomechanical assessments. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2138-2148, 2019.

Radiological grading of osteoarthritis on Rosenberg view has a significant correlation with clinical outcomes after medial open-wedge high-tibial osteotomy

PURPOSE

To determine the classification scheme for osteoarthritis severity grading that most closely correlates with postoperative clinical outcomes and to identify the positive and negative prognostic factors for medial open-wedge high-tibial osteotomy (OWHTO).

METHODS

Seventy-nine consecutive patients with primary varus osteoarthritis were treated using OWHTO. Arthritic grading was determined by arthroscopic assessment according to the modified Outerbridge classification and by radiographic classification according to the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading scale on standing anteroposterior (AP) and 45° posteroanterior (PA) flexion weight-bearing radiography. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), which was evaluated both preoperatively and at the postoperative 2-year follow-up after OWHTO. Multivariate regression analyses were used to explore and quantify the influence of baseline patient demographics, variables related to arthroscopic and radiological grades of arthritis, as well as postoperative alignment changes on the OKS.

RESULTS

At the 2-year follow-up, the mean OKS had improved from 20 ± 4 to 39 ± 5 points (p < 0.001). The average mechanical femorotibial and mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) changed from 6.9° ± 3.4° to valgus 2.7° ± 2.8° and from 85.6° ± 2.4° to 92.9° ± 3.7° (all p < 0.001). The osteoarthritis severity grade based on the KL scale was 2.4 ± 0.9 on standing AP radiography, 2.8 ± 0.9 on 45° PA flexion weight-bearing radiography (p = 0.003), and 3.4 ± 0.7 according to the modified Outerbridge classification. In the multivariate analyses, the KL grade on 45° PA flexion weight-bearing radiography (p = 0.01) and postoperative MPTA (p = 0.01) showed significant negative correlations with postoperative OKS at the 2-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The KL grading system based on 45° PA flexion weight-bearing radiography showed the strongest significant negative correlation with postoperative OKS after the OWHTO procedure using three different common OA classification schemes, which should be considered to determine the surgical indication of HTO. The KL grading system based on 45° PA flexion weight-bearing radiography showed the strongest correlation with high-tibial osteotomy-surgical indications and the counselling of patients with advanced osteoarthritis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

The TeMPO trial (treatment of meniscal tears in osteoarthritis): rationale and design features for a four arm randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Meniscal tears often accompany knee osteoarthritis, a disabling condition affecting 14 million individuals in the United States. While several randomized controlled trials have compared physical therapy to surgery for individuals with knee pain, meniscal tear, and osteoarthritic changes (determined via radiographs or magnetic resonance imaging), no trial has evaluated the efficacy of physical therapy alone in these subjects.

METHODS

The Treatment of Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis (TeMPO) Trial is a four-arm multi-center randomized controlled clinical trial designed to establish the comparative efficacy of two in-clinic physical therapy interventions (one focused on strengthening and one containing placebo) and two protocolized home exercise programs.

DISCUSSION

The goal of this paper is to present the rationale behind TeMPO and describe the study design and implementation strategies, focusing on methodologic and clinical challenges.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The TeMPO Trial was first registered at clinicaltrials.gov with registration No. NCT03059004 . on February 14, 2017.

A machine learning approach for the identification of new biomarkers for knee osteoarthritis development in overweight and obese women

OBJECTIVE

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is among the higher contributors to global disability. Despite its high prevalence, currently, there is no cure for this disease. Furthermore, the available diagnostic approaches have large precision errors and low sensitivity. Therefore, there is a need for new biomarkers to correctly identify early knee OA.

METHOD

We have created an analytics pipeline based on machine learning to identify small models (having few variables) that predict the 30-months incidence of knee OA (using multiple clinical and structural OA outcome measures) in overweight middle-aged women without knee OA at baseline. The data included clinical variables, food and pain questionnaires, biochemical markers (BM) and imaging-based information.

RESULTS

All the models showed high performance (AUC > 0.7) while using only a few variables. We identified both the importance of each variable within the models as well its direction. Finally, we compared the performance of two models with the state-of-the-art approaches available in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed the potential of applying machine learning to generate predictive models for the knee OA incidence. Imaging-based information were found particularly important in the proposed models. Furthermore, our analysis confirmed the relevance of known BM for knee OA. Overall, we propose five highly predictive small models that can be possibly adopted for an early prediction of knee OA.

Valgus Stress Radiographs Predict Lateral-Compartment Cartilage Thickness but Not Cartilage Degeneration in Varus Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Intact cartilage in the lateral compartment is an important requirement for medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. This study sought to determine how measurements of joint space width in the lateral compartment on valgus stress radiographs compare to cartilage thickness as measured with a precise needle test, and whether cartilage thickness is a predictor of cartilage degeneration.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 100 knees undergoing total knee arthroplasty for end-stage varus osteoarthritis was studied. Twenty-eight knees were retrospectively excluded because not all data were available, leaving 72 knees (61 patients; mean age, 67 years [49-87]). On calibrated valgus stress radiographs, lateral-compartment joint space width was measured. During surgery, osteochondral samples of the distal lateral femur and the lateral tibia plateau were harvested. Cartilage thickness and histology were assessed. Cartilage thickness of tibia and femur was defined as lateral-compartment cartilage thickness.

RESULTS

Lateral-compartment joint space width on valgus stress radiographs and lateral-compartment cartilage thickness correlated well (r_s = 0.671, P < .001). However, no correlation of cartilage histology according to the osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment system, and cartilage thickness on the lateral tibia plateau (r_s = -0.060, P = .614) and cartilage thickness on the distal lateral femur (r_s = -0.128, P = .282) was observed.

CONCLUSION

Valgus stress radiographs can assess combined cartilage thickness in the lateral compartment of the knee. Cartilage thickness, however, is a poor predictor of cartilage degeneration.

Association of urinary biomarker COLL2-1NO₂ with incident clinical and radiographic knee OA in overweight and obese women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between urinary biomarker Coll2-1NO2 (uColl2-1NO2) and incident knee OA after 2.5 years follow-up in middle-aged overweight and obese women at high risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

Data were used from PROOF, a randomized controlled trial with 2.5 years follow-up evaluating the preventive effects of a diet and exercise program and oral glucosamine sulphate (double blind and placebo controlled), on development of incident knee OA in women with body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m(2) without signs of knee OA at baseline. Baseline and 2.5 years uColl2-1NO2 concentrations were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Primary outcome measure was incidence of knee OA in one or both knees, defined as incidence of either Kellgren & Lawrence grade ≥2, joint space narrowing of ≥1.0 mm or knee OA according to the combined clinical and radiographic ACR-criteria. We used binary logistic regression for the association analyses.

RESULTS

254 women were available for analyses. At 2.5 years follow-up, incident knee OA was present in 72 of 254 women (28.3%). An inversed association was found between baseline uColl2-1NO2 and incident knee OA at 2.5 years (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.99). The concentration at 2.5 years and the change in concentration over 2.5 years did not show significant associations with the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In overweight and obese middle-aged women, not higher but lower baseline uColl2-1NO2 concentration was significantly associated with an increased risk for incident knee OA. This interesting but counterintuitive outcome makes further validation of this biomarker warranted.

Sensitivity of standing radiographs to detect knee arthritis: a systematic review of Level I studies

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the available literature to define the level of quality evidence for determining the sensitivity and specificity of different radiographic views in detecting knee osteoarthritis and to determine the impact of different grading systems on the ability to detect knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify studies that evaluated the standing anteroposterior (AP) and 45° posteroanterior (PA) views for tibiofemoral and patellofemoral arthritis and those comparing the use of the Kellgren-Lawrence versus the joint space narrowing (JSN) radiographic grading systems using arthroscopy as the gold standard. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, the Cochrane Database, Clinicaltrial.gov, and EMBASE was performed using the keywords "osteoarthritis," "knee," "x-ray," "sensitivity," and "arthroscopy."

RESULTS

Six studies were included in the evaluation. The 45° flexion PA view showed a higher sensitivity than the standing AP view for detecting severe arthritis involving either the medial or lateral tibiofemoral compartment. There was no difference in the specificities for the 2 views. The direct comparison of the Kellgren-Lawrence and the JSN radiographic grading systems found no clinical difference between the 2 systems regarding the sensitivities, although the specificity was greater for the JSN system.

CONCLUSIONS

The ability to detect knee osteoarthritis continues to be difficult without using advanced imaging. However, as an inexpensive screening tool, the 45° flexion PA view is more sensitive than the standing AP view to detect severe tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. When evaluating the radiograph for severe osteoarthritis using either the Kellgren-Lawrence or JSN grading system, there is no clinical difference in the sensitivity between the 2 methods; however, the JSN may be more specific for ruling in severe osteoarthritis in the medial compartment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, systematic review of Level I studies.

Osteoarthritis Classification Scales: Interobserver Reliability and Arthroscopic Correlation

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis of the knee is commonly diagnosed and monitored with radiography. However, the reliability of radiographic classification systems for osteoarthritis and the correlation of these classifications with the actual degree of confirmed degeneration of the articular cartilage of the tibiofemoral joint have not been adequately studied.

METHODS

As the Multicenter ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Revision Study (MARS) Group, we conducted a multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study of patients undergoing revision surgery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We followed 632 patients who underwent radiographic evaluation of the knee (an anteroposterior weight-bearing radiograph, a posteroanterior weight-bearing radiograph made with the knee in 45° of flexion [Rosenberg radiograph], or both) and arthroscopic evaluation of the articular surfaces. Three blinded examiners independently graded radiographic findings according to six commonly used systems-the Kellgren-Lawrence, International Knee Documentation Committee, Fairbank, Brandt et al., Ahlbäck, and Jäger-Wirth classifications. Interobserver reliability was assessed with use of the intraclass correlation coefficient. The association between radiographic classification and arthroscopic findings of tibiofemoral chondral disease was assessed with use of the Spearman correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Overall, 45° posteroanterior flexion weight-bearing radiographs had higher interobserver reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 0.65) compared with anteroposterior radiographs (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.53 to 0.56). Similarly, the 45° posteroanterior flexion weight-bearing radiographs had higher correlation with arthroscopic findings of chondral disease (Spearman rho = 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.32 to 0.39) compared with anteroposterior radiographs (Spearman rho = 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.26 to 0.32). With respect to standards for the magnitude of the reliability coefficient and correlation coefficient (Spearman rho), the International Knee Documentation Committee classification demonstrated the best combination of good interobserver reliability and medium correlation with arthroscopic findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall estimates with the six radiographic classification systems demonstrated moderate (anteroposterior radiographs) to good (45° posteroanterior flexion weight-bearing radiographs) interobserver reliability and medium correlation with arthroscopic findings. The International Knee Documentation Committee classification assessed with use of 45° posteroanterior flexion weight-bearing radiographs had the most favorable combination of reliability and correlation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Diagnostic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Can standing knee radiographs predict chondral lesions in young- and middle-aged population?

PURPOSE

The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between arthroscopic findings and joint space width on the standing knee radiographs at various flexion degrees in the young- and middle-aged patients with complaints of knee pain.

METHODS

Middle-aged patients with complaint of knee pain ongoing more than 6 months and failure in conservative treatment methods were included. Weight-bearing full extension, 30 and 45° of flexion radiographs were obtained. Joint space width was calculated on radiograms. Arthroscopy was performed to evaluate the chondral pathologies. Correlation analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Fourty-three patients (18 female, 25 male) with a mean age of 44.6 (20-63) were included. Mean joint space width was 4.87 mm ± 1.45 (2-10) mm in medial and 5.43 mm ± 1.47 (1-9) in lateral on standing extension radiographs. In 30° flexion radiographs, mean joint space width was 4.33 mm ± 1.25 (1.5-7.5) in medial and 5.36 mm ± 1.69 (1-9) in lateral. In 45° flexion radiographs, medial joint space was 4.28 mm ± 1.59 (2-9) in medial and 5.15 mm ± 1.59 (1.5-9) in lateral. In arthroscopic evaluation, one knee had grade 1 (2.3%), three knees had grade 2 (7%), nine knees had grade 3 (20.9%), and twelve knees had grade 4 (27.9%) lesions in the medial compartment. In the lateral compartment, two knees had grade 3 (4.7%) and one knee had grade 4 lesion (2.3%). Radiological data did not correlate with the arthroscopic findings.

CONCLUSION

Standing knee radiographs do not correlate with the arthroscopic findings in the middle-aged population with chondral lesions in knee joint.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case series with no comparison group, Level IV.

Radiographic findings in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions from the Mars cohort

The Multicenter ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Revision Study (MARS) group was developed to investigate revision ACL reconstruction outcomes. An important part of this is obtaining and reviewing radiographic studies. The goal for this radiographic analysis is to establish radiographic findings for a large revision ACL cohort to allow comparison with future studies. The study was designed as a cohort study. Various established radiographic parameters were measured by three readers. These included sagittal and coronal femoral and tibial tunnel position, joint space narrowing, and leg alignment. Inter- and intraobserver comparisons were performed. Femoral sagittal position demonstrated 42% were more than 40% anterior to the posterior cortex. On the sagittal tibia tunnel position, 49% demonstrated some impingement on full-extension lateral radiographs. Limb alignment averaged 43% medial to the medial edge of the tibial plateau. On the Rosenberg view (45-degree flexion view), the minimum joint space in the medial compartment averaged 106% of the opposite knee, but it ranged down to a minimum of 4.6%. Lateral compartment narrowing at its minimum on the Rosenberg view averaged 91.2% of the opposite knee, but it ranged down to a minimum of 0.0%. On the coronal view, verticality as measured by the angle from the center of the tibial tunnel aperture to the center of the femoral tunnel aperture measured 15.8 degree ± 6.9% from vertical. This study represents the radiographic findings in the largest revision ACL reconstruction series ever assembled. Findings were generally consistent with those previously demonstrated in the literature.

The MeTeOR trial (Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research): rationale and design features

This paper presents the rationale and design features of the MeTeOR Trial (Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research; Clinical Trials.gov NCT00597012). MeTeOR is an NIH-funded seven-center prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to establish the efficacy of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy combined with a standardized physical therapy program as compared with a standardized physical therapy program alone in patients with a symptomatic meniscal tear in the setting of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritic change (OA). The design and execution of a trial that compares surgery with a nonoperative treatment strategy presents distinctive challenges. The goal of this paper is to provide the clinical rationale for MeTeOR and to highlight salient design features, with particular attention to those that present clinical and methodologic challenges.

The clinical utility and diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging for identification of early and advanced knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Current diagnostic strategies for detection of structural articular cartilage abnormalities, the earliest structural signs of osteoarthritis, often do not capture the condition until it is too far advanced for the most potential benefit of noninvasive interventions.

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature relative to the following questions: (1) Is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a valid, sensitive, specific, accurate, and reliable instrument to identify knee articular cartilage abnormalities compared with arthroscopy? (2) Is MRI a sensitive tool that can be utilized to identify early cartilage degeneration?

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in November 2010 using PubMed MEDLINE (from 1966), CINAHL (from 1982), SPORTDiscus (from 1985), SCOPUS (from 1996), and EMBASE (from 1974) databases.

RESULTS

Fourteen level I and 13 level II studies were identified that met inclusion criteria and provided information related to diagnostic performance of MRI compared with arthroscopic evaluation. The diagnostic performance of MRI demonstrated a large range of sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies. The sensitivity for identifying articular cartilage abnormalities in the knee joint was reported between 26% and 96%. Specificity and accuracy were reported between 50% and 100% and between 49% and 94%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for identifying early osteoarthritis were reported between 0% and 86%, 48% and 95%, and 5% and 94%, respectively. As a result of inconsistencies between imaging techniques and methodological shortcomings of many of the studies, a meta-analysis was not performed, and it was difficult to fully synthesize the information to state firm conclusions about the diagnostic performance of MRI.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence in some MRI protocols that MRI is a relatively valid, sensitive, specific, accurate, and reliable clinical tool for identifying articular cartilage degeneration. Because of heterogeneity of MRI sequences, it is not possible to make definitive conclusions regarding its global clinical utility for guiding diagnosis and treatment strategies.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Traumatic sports injuries to the knee may be significant precursor events to early onset of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging may aid in early identification of structural injuries to articular cartilage as evidenced by articular cartilage degeneration grading.

Radiographic predictability of cartilage damage in medial ankle osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Radiographic grading has been used to assess and select between treatment options for ankle osteoarthritis. To use radiographic grading systems in clinical practice and scientific studies one must have reliable systems that predict the fate of the cartilage.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We therefore asked whether (1) radiographic grading of ankle osteoarthritis is reliable and (2) grading reflects cartilage damage observed during arthroscopy. We then (3) determined the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the radiographic findings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We examined 74 ankles with medial osteoarthritis and 24 with normal articular cartilage based on arthroscopy. Arthroscopic findings were graded according to the modified Outerbridge grades and all radiographs were graded using the modified Kellgren-Lawrence, Takakura et al., and van Dijk et al. grading systems. The reliability of each radiographic grading system was evaluated. We correlated the radiographic grades and severity of cartilage damage for each radiographic grading system. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of spurs and joint space narrowing with or without talar tilting then were determined.

RESULTS

The interobserver weighted kappa ranged from 0.58 to 0.89 and the intraobserver weighted kappa from 0.51 to 0.85. The correlation coefficients for the Kellgren-Lawrence, Takakura et al., and van Dijk et al. grades were 0.53, 0.42, and 0.42, respectively. Ankles with medial joint space narrowing (Stage 2 of Takakura et al. and van Dijk et al. grades) showed varying severity of cartilage damage. The positive predictive value of cartilage damage increased from 77% for medial joint space narrowing regardless of the presence of talar tilting to 98% for medial joint space narrowing with talar tilting.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations suggest the inclusion of talar tilting in grading schemes enhances the assessment of cartilage damage.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of level of evidence.

Knee pain and mobility impairments: meniscal and articular cartilage lesions

The Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association presents this fifth set of clinical practice guidelines on knee pain and mobility impairments, linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The purpose of these practice guidelines is to describe evidence-based orthopaedic physical therapy clinical practice and provide recommendations for (1) examination and diagnostic classification based on body functions and body structures, activity limitations, and participation restrictions, (2) interventions provided by physical therapists, (3) and assessment of outcome for common musculoskeletal disorders.

Reliability of clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of chondromalacia patellae

BACKGROUND

This diagnostic study was performed to determine the correlation between anterior knee pain and chondromalacia patellae and to define the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of chondromalacia patellae.

METHODS

Fifty-six young adults (median age, 19.5 years) with anterior knee pain had magnetic resonance imaging of the knee followed by arthroscopy. The patellar chondral lesions identified by magnetic resonance imaging were compared with the arthroscopic findings.

RESULTS

Arthroscopy confirmed the presence of chondromalacia patellae in twenty-five (45%) of the fifty-six knees, a synovial plica in twenty-five knees, a meniscal tear in four knees, and a femorotibial chondral lesion in four knees; normal anatomy was seen in six knees. No association was found between the severity of the chondromalacia patellae seen at arthroscopy and the clinical symptoms of anterior knee pain syndrome (p = 0.83). The positive predictive value for the ability of 1.0-T magnetic resonance imaging to detect chondromalacia patellae was 75% (95% confidence interval, 53% to 89%), the negative predictive value was 72% (95% confidence interval, 56% to 84%), the sensitivity was 60% (95% confidence interval, 41% to 77%), the specificity was 84% (95% confidence interval, 67% to 93%), and the diagnostic accuracy was 73% (95% confidence interval, 60% to 83%). The sensitivity was 13% (95% confidence interval, 2% to 49%) for grade-I lesions and 83% (95% confidence interval, 59% to 94%) for grade-II, III, or IV lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Chondromalacia patellae cannot be diagnosed on the basis of symptoms or with current physical examination methods. The present study demonstrated no correlation between the severity of chondromalacia patellae and the clinical symptoms of anterior knee pain syndrome. Thus, symptoms of anterior knee pain syndrome should not be used as an indication for knee arthroscopy. The sensitivity of 1.0-T magnetic resonance imaging was low for grade-I lesions but considerably higher for more severe (grade-II, III, or IV) lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging may be considered an accurate diagnostic tool for identification of more severe cases of chondromalacia patellae.

The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging scanning and its influence on management decisions in knee surgery

PURPOSE

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of articular knee pathology on the clinical management of patients presenting with joint line pain.

METHODS

A preliminary study on 100 patients was performed to assess the accuracy of specific MRI sequences, using arthroscopy as a gold standard. Six hundred and eighteen consecutive patients with knee symptoms presenting to 2 specialist knee surgeons were then recruited. A clinical diagnosis of an arthroscopically treatable lesion was made in all cases. Clinical assessment data were correlated to subsequent MRI findings, recording any discrepancy and in particular whether or not MRI findings influenced management decisions.

RESULTS

In the preliminary study, MRI sequences had an overall sensitivity of 83.2% and a specificity of 94.3% for the detection of chondral lesions. However, when considering arthroscopic grade III and IV lesions, MRI sensitivity and specificity were improved to 84.5% and 97.1%. In the second phase of the study, 141 (22.8%) of the 618 patients presenting with knee symptoms had an altered clinical management subsequent to MRI. The presence of unexpected chondral lesions was found in 77 of these patients. Conversely, 22 patients with clinical symptoms suspicious for simple chondral degeneration had unstable meniscal tears.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that preoperative MRI scanning identifies a group of patients who have more advanced degenerative joint disease than the clinical assessment and the plain radiographs suggest. This would expedite definitive surgery in patients with advanced osteoarthritis on MRI scans.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, development of diagnostic criteria on basis of consecutive patients with universally applied gold standard.

Correlation between arthroscopic and histopathological grading systems of articular cartilage lesions in knee osteoarthritis

PURPOSE

Arthroscopic and particularly histopathological assessments have been used to evaluate alterations of knee cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between an arthroscopic method to grade the severity of chondropathies and the histological/histochemical grading system (HHGS) applied to the corresponding articular cartilage areas in knee OA.

METHODS

The articular cartilage surface was examined by chondroscopy using the Beguin and Locker severity criteria, analysing the lesions in 72 chondroscopic areas. Afterwards, samples were obtained by dividing the cartilage surface of the medial tibiofemoral compartment of three OA knee joints into equal squares and they were evaluated histologically using the HHGS. The correlation between both grading methods was assessed using the weighted Kappa coefficient (K(w)).

RESULTS

The results obtained with both scores showed good agreement (K(w): mean+/-standard deviation, 0.619+/-0.071). While the average HHGS scores of the chondral samples showed a better agreement with arthroscopic grades 0, I and II, the arthroscopic evaluation has a tendency to overestimate chondral lesions for histological grades III and IV. The intra- and inter-observer reliability of the HHGS evaluation of chondral lesions was excellent (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient: 0.909 and 0.941, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found a good quantitative correlation between established arthroscopic severity and histopathological scoring systems, particularly in less advanced lesions. Our results suggest that the arthroscopic method is a valuable tool in clinical research to score chondropathies in the medial femorotibial compartment of the OA knee, although some limitations should not be overlooked.

SPECT scan is a reliable tool for selection of patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

Was to determine the relationship between pre-operative SPECT and intra-operative assessments of tibio-femoral chondral changes.

METHODS

One hundred cases had been selected on the following criteria: (1) marked Tc-99 m uptake on the medial compartment and (2) its normal uptake laterally. The cartilage macroscopic condition of tibio-femoral compartments were then recorded during the surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 73% of Grade 0, 24% of Grade I, and 3% of Grade II chondral injuries were detected laterally; 100% of Grade IV chondral lesions were detected medially. Statistically very significant relationship was demonstrated between SPECT and the mcroscopic cartilage condition.

CONCLUSIONS

SPECT bone scan provides very useful information regarding the degree of osteoarthritis in knee weight-bearing compartments for pre-operative planning.