[Reproducibility of radiologic markers of osteoarthritis. Evaluating a score for radiologic classification of degenerative changes in osteoarthritis of the knee joint].
BACKGROUND
The radiological assessment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint in longitudinal studies is usually performed with established classifications. It is disadvantageous that these features are always combined to describe a certain stage of the disease, even though they can develop independently.


METHODS
A german score based on a publication by Scott et al. (1993) was designed. At first 100 X-ray series of knees were evaluated using the Jäger & Wirth, the Kellgren & Lawrence classification and the point score. Six observers then evaluated 200 anonymised radiographs of knee joints twice within 3 months.


RESULTS
The most reliable criteria for the inter-observer reliancy were medial osteophytes, medial joint-line narrowing, patella osteophytes and chondrocalcinosis. At least 4 out of 6 observers had a high match in these criteria. The reproducability of most of the individual radiographic features was good, with a higher level of orthopaedic training resulting in a higher consistency of the score.


CONCLUSIONS
A certain level of orthopaedic training is necessary for consistent results. The main focus of the score will be less the daily routine assessment of radiographs of the knee joint, but more the scientific assessment of radiographic progression of osteoarthritis in longitudinal studies.
Schroeder-Boersch
H
H
Orthopädische Klinik Mannheim, Klinische Fakultat der Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg.
Töws
P
P
Jani
L
L
D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015588:Observer Variation; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results