title: Ultrasonographic evaluation in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: clinical and radiological correlation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the relationship among clinical, radiological and ultrasonographical findings in knee osteoarthritis (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one patients (122 knees) with knee OA were enrolled. Patients' knees were classified into two groups according to symptom severity. Group I consisted of 61 more symptomatic knees and Group II comprised 61 less symptomatic knees. Subjects were clinically assessed for pain and functional status by using a visual analog scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), respectively. Knee radiographs were evaluated by using the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading system. All knees were also evaluated ultrasonographically for meniscal bulging, distal femoral cartilage thickness, cartilage grading and also for the presence of effusion, Baker's cyst and so on.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baker's cyst and joint effusion were observed more in Group I when compared with Group II. Positive correlations were found between meniscal bulging and all WOMAC scores (all P < 0.05). K-L grades of the patients were also positively correlated with WOMAC scores (all P < 0.05). Meniscal bulging measurements and K-L grades were positively correlated (P < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between cartilage grades and cartilage thickness measurements (all P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that joint space narrowing seemed to be associated with meniscal bulging. Moreover, increased meniscal bulging and presence of Baker's cyst/joint effusion were associated with worse pain or poorer function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fevziye Ünsal
authors.initials: FÜ
authors.lastname: Malas
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.forename: Bayram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaymak
authors.forename: Ayşen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akıncı
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Özçakar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011151:Popliteal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: cartilage; function; knee; meniscus; osteoarthritis; pain; ultrasonography