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Reproducibility of joint space width and the intermargin distance measurements in patients with medial osteoarthritis of the knee in various degrees of flexion

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Abstract

Objective

This study tested the variability and reproducibility of measurements of the joint space width (JSW) and intermargin distance (IMD) of the medial tibial plateau in specific positions of knee flexion in osteoarthritic knees in order to evaluate the most useful knee angle for radiographic measurements.

Design

Radiographs from 56 knees with osteoarthritis from 46 patients were taken with the knees in conventional full extension and 15°, 30°, and 45° of flexion with weight bearing. Three orthopedic surgeons independently measured the JSW and IMD at the narrowest point and the midpoint of medial tibial plateau using a computer-assisted method.

Results

The JSW and IMD were smallest at 15° flexion, both measured at the narrowest point and the midpoint of the medial compartment. Reproducibility of the IMD at the midpoint was better than at the narrowest point for all four flexion angles.

Conclusion

Measurements of the medial JSW and IMD are smallest at 15° of knee flexion indicating that radiographs should be obtained at this angle in order to best demonstrate the extent of osteoarthritis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan

    Toshiaki Takahashi & Haruyasu Yamamoto

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan

    Norio Yamanaka & Masahiko Ikeuchi

Authors
  1. Toshiaki Takahashi
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  2. Norio Yamanaka
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  3. Masahiko Ikeuchi
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  4. Haruyasu Yamamoto
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Correspondence to Toshiaki Takahashi.

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Takahashi, T., Yamanaka, N., Ikeuchi, M. et al. Reproducibility of joint space width and the intermargin distance measurements in patients with medial osteoarthritis of the knee in various degrees of flexion. Skeletal Radiol 38, 37–42 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0572-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0572-y

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