J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.
2010 Dec;34(6):737-742.
Association of Meniscus Protrusion with Radiographic Findings and Clinical Assessment in Both Knee Osteoarthritis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kyung Hee University, College of Medicine, Seoul 130-050, Korea. wonii99@naver.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association of ultrasonographic (US) findings of medial meniscus protrusion (MMP) with clinical and plain radiographic assessment in knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHOD: One hundred and twenty six knees of 63 patients were studied. The degree of protrusion for each knee of patients was measured during standing by US. Radiographs were examined in order to determine whether the participants had radiographic osteoarthritis, graded using the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade. Clinical assessment was performed by recording a visual analogue scale (VAS). Correlation was obtained between the difference of VAS and MMP in the same patient. Assessment of pain, stiffness, and disability were performed by comparison of K-WOMAC index and MMP in a patient.
RESULTS
Mean protrusion (mean+/-S.D.) for knees with each K-L I, II, III, and IV grade were 0.27+/-0.52 cm, 0.38+/-0.60 cm, 0.55+/-0.76 cm, and 0.75+/-0.08 cm, respectively. The difference was significant (p<0.05). Significant correlation was observed between MMP and VAS in K-L grades II (p=0.002, r=0.500) and III (p=0.002, r=0.684), also between DeltaMMP and DeltaVAS (p=0.000, r=0.558). With the K-WOMAC index, MMP were correlated with pain and stiffness (p<0.01), but not with disability score.
CONCLUSION
The degree of MMP measured by US is associated with K-L grade in knee OA patients. The degree of MMP can be a reliable indicator, like K-L grade, for radiological severity of knee OA. MMP has been correlated with VAS and with subscore of pain and stiffness, but not disability in the K-WOMAC index.
