Magnetic resonance imaging-based three-dimensional bone shape of the knee predicts onset of knee osteoarthritis: data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

Objective: To examine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based 3-dimensional (3-D) bone shape predicts the onset of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: We conducted a case-control study using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative by identifying knees that developed incident tibiofemoral radiographic knee OA (case knees) during followup, and matching them each to 2 random control knees. Using knee MRIs, we performed active appearance modeling of the femur, tibia, and patella and linear discriminant analysis to identify vectors that best classified knees with OA versus those without OA.

Valgus malalignment is a risk factor for lateral knee osteoarthritis incidence and progression: findings from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study and the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objective: To study the effect of valgus malalignment on knee osteoarthritis (OA) incidence and progression.

Methods: We measured the mechanical axis from long limb radiographs from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) and the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) to define limbs with valgus malalignment (mechanical axis of ≥1.1° valgus) and examined the effect of valgus alignment versus neutral alignment (neither varus nor valgus) on OA structural outcomes.

Morphologic differences between the hips of Chinese women and white women: could they account for the ethnic difference in the prevalence of hip osteoarthritis?

Objective: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disabling disease, which has a much higher prevalence in whites than in Asians. The reasons for this ethnic difference in prevalence are unknown. Hip OA is often thought to be secondary to morphologic abnormalities.

Quadriceps strength and the risk of cartilage loss and symptom progression in knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine the effect of quadriceps strength in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) on loss of cartilage at the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints (assessed by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and on knee pain and function.

Methods: We studied 265 subjects (154 men and 111 women, mean+/-SD age 67+/-9 years) who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for symptomatic knee OA and who were participating in a prospective, 30-month natural history study of knee OA. Quadriceps strength was measured at baseline, isokinetically, during concentric knee extension.

Occupation-related squatting, kneeling, and heavy lifting and the knee joint: a magnetic resonance imaging-based study in men.

Objective: We examined the relation between occupational exposures to frequent squatting/kneeling and/or heavy lifting with cartilage morphology, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), at the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints in men and determined which compartments are most affected.

Methods: We evaluated 192 men with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The more symptomatic knee was imaged using MRI.

Central bone marrow lesions in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and their relationship to anterior cruciate ligament tears and cartilage loss.

Objective: Medial and lateral compartment bone marrow lesions (BMLs) have been tied to cartilage loss. We undertook this study to assess 2 types of BMLs in the central region of the knee (type 1 BMLs, which are related anatomically to anterior cruciate ligament [ACL]/posterior cruciate ligament [PCL] insertions, and type 2 BMLs, which encompass both the central region and either the medial or the lateral compartment) and determine their relationship to cartilage loss and ACL tears.

Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee was performed at baseline and at followup (15 and/or 30 months) in 258 subjects with symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA).

A randomized crossover trial of a wedged insole for treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: In uncontrolled studies, a lateral-wedge insole has reduced knee pain in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of this simple, low-cost intervention for pain in patients with medial knee OA.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, crossover trial designed to detect a small effect of treatment.

The association between patellar alignment on magnetic resonance imaging and radiographic manifestations of knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between patellar alignment by using magnetic resonance imaging images and radiographic manifestations of patello-femoral osteoarthritis (OA). Subjects were recruited to participate in a natural history study of symptomatic knee OA. We examined the relation of patellar alignment in the sagittal plane (patellar length ratio (PLR)) and the transverse plane (sulcus angle (SA), lateral patellar tilt angle (LPTA), and bisect offset (BO)) to radiographic features of patello-femoral OA, namely joint space narrowing and patellar osteophytes, using a proportional odds logistic regression model while adjusting for age, sex, and bone mass index (BMI).

Increase in bone marrow lesions associated with cartilage loss: a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study of knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: Although bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are powerful predictors of joint space loss as visualized on radiographs, the natural history of these lesions, their relationship to cartilage loss, and the association between change in these lesions and cartilage loss are unknown. These questions were tested using longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in a natural history study of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: MRI of the knee was performed at baseline, 15 months, and 30 months in 217 patients with primary knee OA (122 men, 95 women; mean +/- SD age 66.

Structural factors associated with malalignment in knee osteoarthritis: the Boston osteoarthritis knee study.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial condition. The progression of knee OA is determined in part by mechanical effects on local structures. One of the mechanical influences on cartilage loss is limb alignment.

The lateral view radiograph for assessment of the tibiofemoral joint space in knee osteoarthritis: its reliability, sensitivity to change, and longitudinal validity.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of tibiofemoral (TF) narrowing on lateral radiographic views.

Methods: In a natural history study of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), both lateral view and fluoroscopically positioned posteroanterior (PA) semiflexed view radiographs of the knee in 30 degrees of flexion and with weight bearing were obtained at baseline and at 30 months. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using repeat radiographs, with joint space width measured using electronic calipers.

What WOMAC pain score should make a patient eligible for a trial in knee osteoarthritis?

Objective: To evaluate different Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain thresholds as eligibility criteria for a knee osteoarthritis (OA) trial and their effect on number of subjects recruited.

Methods: We screened subjects with knee pain using the Likert version of the WOMAC and scored all subjects based on the severity of pain with each of the 5 WOMAC activities. For each of 4 alternative definitions of eligibility, we tested how many subjects would be eligible for a trial.

The effect of body weight on progression of knee osteoarthritis is dependent on alignment.

Objective: Whereas obesity increases overall loading of the knee, limb malalignment concentrates that loading on a focal area, to the level at which cartilage damage may occur. This study evaluated whether the effect of body weight on progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) differs depending on the degree of limb malalignment.

Methods: The study population comprised 228 veterans and community recruits with symptomatic knee OA (pain on most days and radiographic disease) who volunteered to participate in a natural history study and from whom baseline radiographs were obtained to assess alignment; 227 (99.

Bone marrow edema and its relation to progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Background: While factors affecting the course of knee osteoarthritis are mostly unknown, lesions on bone scan and mechanical malalignment increase risk for radiographic deterioration. Bone marrow edema lesions on magnetic resonance imaging correspond to bone scan lesions.

Objective: To determine whether edema lesions in the subarticular bone in patients with knee osteoarthritis identify knees at high risk for radiographic progression and whether these lesions are associated with limb malalignment.

Lower prevalence of hand osteoarthritis among Chinese subjects in Beijing compared with white subjects in the United States: the Beijing Osteoarthritis Study.

Objective: Fewer Chinese subjects in Beijing have hip osteoarthritis (OA) compared with whites in the United States, but as many or more Chinese subjects have knee OA. If these differences are due to a systemic predilection for disease, then the prevalence of hand OA, the best indicator of generalized disease, should be different in China. The goals of this study were to estimate the prevalence of hand OA among elderly Chinese in Beijing, and to compare it with that among elderly whites in the United States.

Effectiveness of a lateral-wedge insole on knee varus torque in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To test whether a lateral-wedged insole, inclined at 5 degrees or 10 degrees, significantly reduces knee varus torque during walking in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared with both using no insole and with wearing nonwedged control insoles of the same material and average thickness.

Design: Patients with medial knee osteoarthritis were studied while they walked wearing their comfortable shoes (1) without an insole; (2) with a 5 degrees lateral wedge compared with a nonwedged, 3.175-mm (1/8-in) even-thickness control insole; and (3) with a 10 degrees lateral wedge compared with a nonwedged 6.