Correlation of Pain and Physical Disability with Radiological Features of Knee Osteoarthritis

Correlation Between Pain Intensity and Functional Limitation in Early Knee Osteoarthritis - A Pilot Study

Background and purpose: Early knee Osteoarthritis (EKOA), despite minor changes on X-ray, often presents with considerable pain and limitations of function. Pain is considered the primary factor influencing activity restriction, yet the link between severity of pain and measurable functional performance in EKOA remains underexplored. Method: This pilot study recruited 15 participants (aged 41–55 years) with radiographically confirmed EKOA (Kellgren–Lawrence grade 1 - 2). The severity of pain was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and disability using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Objective functional ability was examined using the Timed Up and Go (TUG), 30 second Chair Stand Test (CSTS), and Stair Climb Test (SC). Pearson correlation was used to examine pain-function association. Result: Pain intensity showed a strong positive correlation with TUG (r = 0.903, p = 0.000) and SC (r = 0.791, p =0 .000), and a strong negative correlation with CSTS repetitions (r = –0.925, p =0 .000), confirming that higher pain intensity is linked with greater functional limitation. Conclusion: This pilot study shows pain intensity strongly predicts functional decline in EKOA. It highlights reduced strength and mobility, underscoring the need for early pain management with strengthening interventions to preserve function and delay progression.

Prevalence and clinical-radiological features of hand osteoarthritis in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

HOA is a common but under-recognised comorbidity in individuals with KOA, demonstrating predominant PIP/DIP involvement and measurable functional impact and highlighting OA as a multisite, heterogeneous degenerative condition of ageing.

Comparison of Ultrasonographic and Radiographic Findings in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-sectional Study

USG provides improved detection of osteophytes and offers additional information on soft-tissue and early structural changes in knee OA and serves as a valuable, accessible adjunct to conventional radiography for comprehensive evaluation and early diagnosis of knee OA.

Pain and Quality of Life among Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis at Tertiary Level Hospital

Background and objectives: Osteoarthritis is an age-related disease characterized clinically by pain, functional impairment, disability that may affect quality of life. This study was conducted to evaluate pain and quality of life among patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 162 patients attending Orthopedic Out Patient department of Kathmandu Medical College by convenience sampling method. Numerical Pain Rating Scale was used to assess pain and SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life through face-to-face interview method. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 20. Descriptive and inferential statistics including non-parametric tests like Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test were applied. Spearman’s Correlation test was used to find out correlation between pain and quality of life, p significant at <0.05 with 95% confidence interval. Results: In Numerical Pain Rating Scale index, 55.6% had severe pain. The physical component summary score was 33.52±17.63 and mental component summary score was 48.28±21.64. There was significant difference of age and education level with physical component and mental component. The physical and mental component of quality of life was moderately negatively correlated with pain. Conclusion: Patients with knee osteoarthritis experienced severe pain and reduced score in physical and mental component of quality of life. There was significant difference between socio-demographic variables with physical and mental component of quality of life. Pain and physical and mental component of quality of life both were negatively correlated.

Association Between Obesity and Severe Knee Osteoarthritis

Associations of Knee Symptomatic, Radiographic, and Structural Abnormalities With Contralateral Knee Osteoarthritis Progression.

AIM To investigate associations of symptomatic, radiographic, and structural knee indicators with radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) progression in the contralateral knee among individuals with or at risk of OA. METHODS Data were obtained from the Osteoarthritis Initiative Database (accessed on December 21, 2022), with knees as the unit of analysis. Baseline exposures included symptomatic measures (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC], Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), radiographic features (radiographic OA status, Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] grades, joint space width [JSW], and alignment), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based structural abnormalities (MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score [MOAKS]-assessed lesions including cartilage defects, bone marrow lesions, meniscal morphology, Hoffa-synovitis, and effusion-synovitis). Outcomes were 4-year contralateral KL grades and 4-year JSW change. Generalized estimating equation models were used. RESULTS Each 1-point increase in WOMAC total score was associated with increased contralateral KL grades (β = 0.002, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.001 to 0.003) and greater medial JSW narrowing (β = -0.005 mm, 95% CI, -0.007 to -0.003 mm). Radiographic OA status was associated with higher KL grades (β = 0.112, 95% CI, 0.088 to 0.136) and reduced medial JSW (β = -0.179 mm, 95% CI, -0.236 to -0.122 mm) and lateral JSW (β = -0.168 mm, 95% CI, -0.257 to -0.079 mm). MRI-based analyses showed that MOAKS-defined structural damage was associated with greater contralateral JSW loss, with compartment-specific patterns. Each 1-point increase in medial tibiofemoral (TF) joint bone marrow lesion (BML) size was associated with a 0.045 mm decrease in contralateral medial JSW (95% CI, -0.065 to -0.025 mm), while each 1-point increase lateral TF joint BML size was associated with a 0.048 mm decrease in contralateral lateral JSW (95% CI, -0.084 to -0.012 mm). CONCLUSIONS Worse symptomatic, radiographic, and structural knee status is associated with contralateral radiographic OA progression, suggesting contralateral knee condition should be considered in OA evaluation.