Purpose
The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between arthroscopic findings and joint space width on the standing knee radiographs at various flexion degrees in the young- and middle-aged patients with complaints of knee pain.
Methods
Middle-aged patients with complaint of knee pain ongoing more than 6 months and failure in conservative treatment methods were included. Weight-bearing full extension, 30 and 45° of flexion radiographs were obtained. Joint space width was calculated on radiograms. Arthroscopy was performed to evaluate the chondral pathologies. Correlation analysis was performed.
Results
Fourty-three patients (18 female, 25 male) with a mean age of 44.6 (20–63) were included. Mean joint space width was 4.87 mm ± 1.45 (2–10) mm in medial and 5.43 mm ± 1.47 (1–9) in lateral on standing extension radiographs. In 30° flexion radiographs, mean joint space width was 4.33 mm ± 1.25 (1.5–7.5) in medial and 5.36 mm ± 1.69 (1–9) in lateral. In 45° flexion radiographs, medial joint space was 4.28 mm ± 1.59 (2–9) in medial and 5.15 mm ± 1.59 (1.5–9) in lateral. In arthroscopic evaluation, one knee had grade 1 (2.3 %), three knees had grade 2 (7 %), nine knees had grade 3 (20.9 %), and twelve knees had grade 4 (27.9 %) lesions in the medial compartment. In the lateral compartment, two knees had grade 3 (4.7 %) and one knee had grade 4 lesion (2.3 %). Radiological data did not correlate with the arthroscopic findings.
Conclusion
Standing knee radiographs do not correlate with the arthroscopic findings in the middle-aged population with chondral lesions in knee joint.
Level of evidence
Case series with no comparison group, Level IV.