Abstract
In 1968, Ahlback et al. became aware of a peculiar form of aseptic necrosis occurring principally among older patients. The spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee occurs mainly on the medial femoral condyle and shows by x-ray radiolucency with a surrounding sclerotic border which gradually increases into osteoarthritis of the knee.
We have experienced thirty cases of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee. Of these thirty cases we havechecked x-rays of fingers and other joints where the patients complained of pain or troubles. In 25 of 30 patients, we could find clearly defined osteoarthritis in the distal inter-phalagial (DIP) joint and about half of the thirty cases showed osteoarthritis of the first metatarsal, other finger joints and lumbar spine.
Considering these osteoarthritic changes in fingers and other joints, it is presumed that the generalized osteoarthritis should be participating in the etiology of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.
