Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathomechanism of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance (MR) images in 56 patients with unilateral symptomatic knee were examined. All patients were older than 40 years. Presence of osteophytes and OA grade were recorded based on radiographic findings. Femoro-tibial angle (FTA) was also measured on weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing radiographs. Meniscal degeneration was graded based on MR findings. These variables were compared between symptomatic knees and asymptomatic knees. Presence of osteophytes and OA grade were similar in both knees. There was significant difference in weight-bearing FTA, while no difference was seen in nonweight-bearing FTA. MR grade of the medial meniscus was significantly higher in symptomatic knees than in asymptomatic knees, which was remarkable at the posterior portion. No significant difference in the MR grade was found in the lateral meniscus. These data suggest that minor instability secondary to cartilage wear in the medial compartment and degenerative tears in the medial meniscus may be associated with symptoms in osteoarthritic knees.
