Osteoarthritis in Knee Joint

Osteoarthritis is a complex, active, degenerative joint disease involving bone, cartilage, synovium, ligament,
surrounding muscles and surrounding affected joint. It is an age related wear and tear of joints.

It is non inflammatory degenerative disease of Joint. It can be either primary occurring due to natural aging factor
or secondary due to any infection, trauma or any other past history that can result in osteoarthritis.

After Hip joint, knee joint is the second most affected arthritic joint.

Causes:

 Age (generally affecting old age)

 Obesity
 Infection
 Trauma
 Genetics
 Hormonal changes
 Idiopathic
 Repetitive weight bearing
 Sedentary lifestyle
 Metabolic Disorders
 Intra articular injury
 Excessive steroid therapy
 Ligament laxity

Clinical Features :
 Pain
 Stiffness
 Movement restriction
 Swelling
 Crepitus
 Effusion
 Synovial thinking

Also there may be present deformities like genu varum, fixed flexion Deformity in advance Cases of
osteoarthritis.

Examination And Diagnosis:

 X-Ray :
X-Ray Shows Narrow Joint space with osteophytes. Knee deformities can also be seen on X-Ray. There
may also be present unusual opening of lateral joint space.
One or more compartments- medial, lateral or patello femoral may be involved. The medial
compartment being predominantly involved.
Loose body in the joints can also be visible.

 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) :

MRI shows detailed Images for decrease joint Space and soft tissue of the underlying