Role of Ultrasonography in Knee Osteoarthritis

Usability Assessment of Technologies for Remote Monitoring of Knee Osteoarthritis

Goal: To evaluate the usability of different technologies designed for a remote assessment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: We recruited eleven patients affected by mild or moderate knee osteoarthritis, eleven caregivers, and eleven clinicians to assess the following technologies: a wristband for monitoring physical activity, an examination chair for measuring leg extension, a thermal camera for acquiring skin thermographic data, a force balance for measuring center of pressure, an ultrasound imaging system for remote echographic acquisition, a mobile app, and a clinical portal software. Specific questionnaires scoring usability were filled out by patients, caregivers and clinicians. Results: The questionnaires highlighted a good level of usability and user-friendliness for all the technologies, obtaining an average score of 8.7 provided by the patients, 8.8 by the caregivers, and 8.5 by the clinicians, on a scale ranging from 0 to 10. Such average scores were calculated by putting together the scores obtained for the single technologies under evaluation and averaging them. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a high level of acceptability for the tested portable technologies designed for a potentially remote and frequent assessment of knee osteoarthritis.

Comparison of ultrasound guidance with landmark guidance for symptomatic benefits in knee, hip and hand osteoarthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Introduction

More than half of the patients with moderate and severe osteoarthritis (OA) report unsatisfactory pain relief, requiring consideration of intra-articular (IA) injections as the second-line management. Ultrasound-guided IA injection has proven evidence of higher accuracy in administering IA injectates into the joints than landmark-guided or blind IA injections. However, questions remain about translating higher accuracy rates of ultrasound-guided injection into better clinical improvements. Therefore, we examined the symptomatic benefits (pain, function and patient satisfaction) of ultrasound-guided injection in knee, hip and hand OA compared with blind injections by synthesising a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT).

Methods

PubMed, Medline and Embase databases were searched for eligible studies from their inception to August 28, 2023.

Results

Out of 295 records, our meta-analysis included four RCTs (338 patients with knee OA), demonstrating significant improvement in procedural pain [-0.89 (95% CI -1.25, -0.53)], pain at follow-up [-0.51 (95% CI -0.98, -0.04)] and function [1.30 (95% CI 0.86, 1.73)], favouring ultrasound guidance. One single study showed higher patient satisfaction with ultrasound guidance.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided IA injection provided superior clinical outcomes compared with landmark-guided IA injection.

Blood flow velocity in the anterior humeral circumflex artery and tear size can predict synovitis severity in patients with rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff tears are often associated with synovitis, but the ability of noninvasive ultrasonography to predict the severity of synovitis remains unclear. We investigated whether ultrasound parameters, namely peak systolic velocity in the anterior humeral circumflex artery and Doppler activity in the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space, reflect synovitis severity.

METHODS

A total of 54 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were selected. Doppler ultrasound was used to measure peak systolic velocity in the anterior humeral circumflex artery and Doppler activity in the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space, and these values were compared with the intraoperative synovitis score in univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Univariate analyses revealed that tear size, peak systolic velocity in the anterior humeral circumflex artery, and Doppler activity in the glenohumeral joint were associated with synovitis in the glenohumeral joint (P=0.02, P<0.001, P=0.02, respectively). In the subacromial space, tear size, peak systolic velocity in the anterior humeral circumflex artery, and Doppler activity in the subacromial space were associated with synovitis severity (P=0.02, P<0.001, P=0.02, respectively). Multivariate analyses indicated that tear size and peak systolic velocity in the anterior humeral circumflex artery were independently associated with synovitis scores in both the glenohumeral joint and the subacromial space (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that tear size and peak systolic velocity in the anterior humeral circumflex artery, which can both be measured noninvasively, are useful indicators of synovitis severity. Level of evidence: IV.

Inflammatory ultrasound features as prognostic factors of pain and functional outcomes following intra-articular platelet-rich plasma in knee osteoarthritis

AIM

To explore inflammatory ultrasound predictors of improvements in pain and function over 2, 6, and 12 months following administration of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHOD

Patients with painful mild-moderate radiographic knee OA from a subset of the RESTORE RCT underwent ultrasound assessment according to the standardized OMERACT scanning protocol to detect inflammatory features such as synovitis, synovial hypertrophy, and effusion with power Doppler. The study knee was treated with 3 once-weekly PRP injections obtained after centrifugation at 1500 g for 5 min. Numerical Rating Score (NRS), Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) questionnaire, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) function sub-score were used to measure pain and functional severity. Separate linear regression models were performed to determine whether baseline ultrasound-detected features of inflammation predicted the improvement in pain and function following PRP injection in both unadjusted and adjusted models for confounders.

RESULTS

Forty-four participants were included, with 25 (56.8%) being female. In an unadjusted model, higher OMERACT scores for inflammatory features such as global synovitis and/or effusion were significantly associated with greater improvement in all outcomes measured at 2 months but not at 6 and 12 months for pain measures. Only global synovitis showed significant association with functional improvement at 2 and 12 months. Similar findings were observed in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound indices of knee inflammation predicted short-term improvements in pain severity and both short- and longer-term improvements in function following intra-articular PRP injection.

Comparison of accuracy for hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle by X-ray and knee motion analysis system and the relationships between HKA and gait posture

BACKGROUND

The lower limb mechanical axis was used to assess the severity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with varus/valgus deformity and the accuracy of targeted lower limb alignment correction after operation by conventional X-rays. There are lots of parameters to assess the gait in elder patients such as velocity, stride length, step width and swing/stance ratio by knee joint movement analysis system. However, the correlation between the lower limb mechanical axis and gait parameters is not clear. This study is aimed at obtaining the accuracy of the lower limb mechanical axis by the knee joint movement analysis system and the correlation between the lower limb mechanical axis and gait parameters.

METHODS

We analysed 3D knee kinematics during ground gait of 99 patients with KOA and 80 patients 6 months after the operations with the vivo infrared navigation 3D portable knee joint movement analysis system (Opti-Knee®, Innomotion Inc, Shanghai, China). The HKA (Hip-Knee-Ankle) value was calculated and compared to X-ray findings.

RESULTS

HKA absolute variation after the operation was 0.83 ± 3.76°, which is lower than that before the operation (5.41 ± 6.20°, p = 0.001) and also lower than the entire cohort (3.36 ± 5.72). Throughout the cohort, a significant correlation with low coefficients (r = -0.19, p = 0.01) between HKA value and anterior-posterior displacement was found. In comparing the HKA values measured on the full-length alignment radiographs and 3D knee joint movement analysis system (Opti-Knee), there was a significant correlation with moderate to high coefficients (r = 0.784 to 0.976). The linear correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the values of HKA measured by X-ray and movement analysis system (R² = 0.90, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Data with equivalent results as HKA, the 6DOF of the knee and ground gait data could be provided by infrared navigation based 3D portable knee joint movement analysis system comparing with the conventional X-rays. There is no significant effect of HKA on the kinematics of the partial knee joint.

Efficacy of autologous mesenchymal stromal cell treatment for chronic degenerative musculoskeletal conditions in dogs: A retrospective study

Introduction

The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze clinical data from a referral regenerative medicine practice, to investigate the efficacy of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in 245 dogs deemed unresponsive to conventional treatment by their referring vet.

Methods

Diagnostic imaging [radiology and musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US)] identified musculoskeletal pathology holistically. MSCs, produced according to current guidelines, were initially administered with PRP by targeted injection to joints and/or tendons, with a second MSC monotherapy administered 12 weeks later to dogs with severe pathology and/or previous elbow arthroscopic interventions. Dogs with lumbosacral disease received epidural MSCs with additional intravenous MSCs administered to dogs with spondylosis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. All dogs received laser therapy at 10 J/cm² at the time of treatment and for 5 sessions thereafter. Objective outcome measures (stance analysis, range of joint motion, pressure algometry) and validated subjective outcome measures (owner reported VetMetrica HRQL™ and veterinary pain and quality of life impact scores) were used to investigate short and long-term (6-104 weeks) efficacy. Outcome data were collected at predetermined time windows (0-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, 25-48, 49-78, 79-104) weeks after initial treatment.

Results

There were statistically significant improvements in post compared with pre-treatment measures at all time windows in stance analysis, shoulder and hip range of motion, lumbosacral pressure algometry, and to 49-78 weeks in carpus and elbow range of motion. Improvements in 4 domains of quality of life as measured by VetMetricaTM were statistically significant, as were scores in vet-assessed pain and quality of life impact. In dogs receiving one initial treatment the mean time before a second treatment was required to maintain improvements in objective measures was 451 days. Diagnostic imaging confirmed the regenerative effects of MSCs in tendinopathies by demonstrating resolution of abnormal mineralization and restoration of normal fiber patterns.

Discussion

This represents the first study using "real-world" data to show that cell-based therapies, injected into multiple areas of musculoskeletal pathology in a targeted holistic approach, resulted in rapid and profound positive effects on the patient's pain state and quality of life which was maintained with repeat treatment for up to 2 years.

The effect of ferritin levels on distal femoral cartilage thickness in patients with beta thalassaemia major

INTRODUCTION

To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first in the literature to assess distal femoral cartilage thickness and its relationship with ferritin levels in adult patients with beta thalassaemia major (BTM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

45 patients with BTM and 45 healthy controls were included in the study. Ferritin and haemoglobin levels of the patient and healthy groups were determined by blood analysis and distal femoral cartilage thicknesses were measured via ultrasound. Then, the patient group was divided into subgroups according to whether their ferritin levels were below or above 2500 µg/L. They were then compared among themselves and with the healthy control group using the available data.

RESULTS

Distal femoral cartilage thickness values were statistically significantly lower in the BTM group compared to the healthy control group (p values < 0.001). Patients with a ferritin level below 2500 µg/L had statistically significantly higher right and left average distal femoral cartilage thickness values than the patients with a ferritin level above 2500 µg/L (p = 0.029 and p = 0.019, respectively). The right and left average distal femoral cartilage thickness values of the patient subgroup with low ferritin levels were statistically similar to the control group (p = 0.146 and p = 0.164, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that thalassaemia patients are more likely to develop osteoarthritis (OA) than the normal population and possible OA development can be prevented by keeping the ferritin levels of these patients in the optimum range.

Efficacy, Safety, and Accuracy of Intra-articular Therapies for Hand Osteoarthritis: Current Evidence

The lifetime risk of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (OA) is 39.8%, with one in two women and one in four men developing the disease by age 85 years and no disease-modifying drug (DMOAD) available so far. Intra-articular (IA) therapy is one of the options commonly used for symptomatic alleviation of OA disease as it can circumvent systemic exposure and potential side effects of oral medications. The current narrative review focuses on the efficacy and safety profiles of the currently available IA agents in hand OA (thumb-base OA or interphalangeal OA) such as corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid (HA), as well as the efficacy and safety of IA investigational injectates in phase 2/3 clinical trials such as prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma, stem cells, infliximab, interferon-? and botulinum toxin, based on the published randomized controlled trials on PubMed database. The limited published literature revealed the short-term symptomatic benefits of corticosteroids in interphalangeal OA while long-term data are lacking. Most of the short-term studies showed no significant difference between corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid in thumb-base OA, usually with a faster onset of pain relief in the corticosteroid group and a slower but greater (statistically insignificant) pain improvement in the HA group. The majority of studies in investigational agents were limited by small sample size, short-term follow-up, and presence of serious side effects. In addition, we reported higher accuracy rates of drug administrations under imaging guidance than landmark guidance (blind method), and then briefly describe challenges for the long-term efficacy and prospects of IA therapeutics.

Colchicine versus Physical Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis

Background: The treatment of osteoarthritis remains a major challenge due to the unavailability of a disease-modifying medication and the limitations of current therapeutic perspectives, which mainly target the symptoms, not the disease itself. The purpose of our study is to compare the efficacy of colchicine treatment versus physical therapy. Methods: The study included 62 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, hospitalized within the time frame of October 2020−March 2022 in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy of the Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Craiova. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. The observation period was 16 weeks long. The first group (31 patients) received colchicine at a dosage of 1 mg/day together with analgesics (acetaminophen < 2 g/day), while the second group (31 patients) received analgesics (acetaminophen < 2 g/day) together with a 16-week plan of physiotherapy. Results: Group II, in which patients underwent physical therapy, demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in both left (p < 0.001) and right (p = 0.012) knee VAS and WOMAC (p = 0.038) scores at 16 weeks, compared to the group treated with colchicine. Regarding the MSUS examination at 16 weeks, there were no significant changes in the structural abnormalities and no improvement in cartilage aspect or thickness. Higher BMI was associated with higher WOMAC score (p = 0.012), but not with higher VAS score (p = 0.062). Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were associated with high WOMAC (p < 0.001; p = 0.021) and high VAS (p = 0.023; p < 0.001) scores. Conclusions: Our study monitored VAS and WOMAC scores in two groups of patients with KOA, showing that physical therapy is more effective than colchicine in reducing symptoms. We found no statistically significant difference in musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) feature improvement during the 16-week study.

Imaging in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent form of arthritis with major implications on both individual and public health care levels. The field of joint imaging, and particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has evolved rapidly due to the application of technical advances to the field of clinical research. This narrative review will provide an introduction to the different aspects of OA imaging aimed at an audience of scientists, clinicians, students, industry employees, and others who are interested in OA but who do not necessarily focus on OA. The current role of radiography and recent advances in measuring joint space width will be discussed. The status of cartilage morphology assessment and evaluation of cartilage biochemical composition will be presented. Advances in quantitative three-dimensional morphologic cartilage assessment and semi-quantitative whole-organ assessment of OA will be reviewed. Although MRI has evolved as the most important imaging method used in OA research, other modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and metabolic imaging play a complementary role and will also be discussed.

Reliability and Convergent Construct Validity of Quantitative Ultrasound for Synovitis, Meniscal Extrusion, and Osteophyte in Knee Osteoarthritis With MRI

AIMS

To determine: 1) inter-rater reliability of quantitative measurements of ultrasound-detected synovitis, meniscal extrusion, and osteophytes; and 2) construct (convergent) validity via correlations and absolute agreements between ultrasound- and gold-standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-outcomes in knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Dynamic ultrasound images for supra-patellar synovitis, meniscal extrusion, and osteophytes were acquired and quantified by a physician operator, musculoskeletal ultrasonographer, and medical student independently. On the same day, 3T MRI images were acquired. Effusion-synovitis, meniscal extrusion, and osteophytes were quantified on sagittal or coronal proton-density-weighted fat-suppressed noncontrast TSE sequences, respectively. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), Pearson's correlations (r), and Bland-Altman plots were used to analyze inter-rater reliability, and correlations, and agreements between the two imaging modalities.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine participants [48 females (53.9%)] with mean (standard deviation) age of 61.5 ± 6.9 years were included. The inter-rater reliability was excellent for osteophytes (ICC range = 0.90-0.96), meniscal extrusion (ICC range = 0.90-0.93), and synovitis (ICC range = 0.86-0.88). The correlations between ultrasound pathologies and their MRI counterparts were very strong (ICC range = 0.85-0.98) except for lateral meniscal extrusion [0.66 (95% CI, 0.52-0.76)]. Bland-Altman plots showed 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.53, and 0.60 mm larger size in ultrasound medial tibial and medial femoral osteophytes, medial meniscal extrusions, synovitis, and lateral meniscal extrusions with 95% limits of agreements [±0.39, ±0.44, ±0.85, ±0.70, and ±0.90 (SDs)] than MRI measures, respectively. The lines of equality were within 95% CI of the mean differences (bias) only for medial osteophytes and medial meniscal extrusion.

CONCLUSION

The quantitative assessment of synovitis, meniscal extrusion, and osteophytes generally showed excellent inter-rater reliability and strong correlations with MRI-based measurements. Absolute agreement was strong for medial tibiofemoral pathologies.

Longitudinal Changes in Ultrasound-Assessed Femoral Cartilage Thickness in Individuals from 4 to 6 Months Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

Diagnostic ultrasound provides a valid assessment of cartilage health that has been used to observe cross-sectional cartilage thickness differences post-ACLR (anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction), but has not been used longitudinally during early recovery post-ACLR.

DESIGN

The purpose of this study was to assess longitudinal changes in femoral cartilage thickness via ultrasound in individuals at 4 to 6 months post-ACLR and compared to healthy controls. Twenty participants (50% female, age = 21.1 ± 5.7 years) completed testing sessions 4 and 6 months post-ACLR. Thirty healthy controls (57% female, age = 20.8 ± 3.8 years) without knee injury history completed 2 testing sessions (>72 hours apart). Femoral cartilage ultrasound images were captured bilaterally in ACLR participants and in the dominant limb of healthy controls during all sessions. Average cartilage thicknesses in the medial, intercondylar, and lateral femoral regions were determined using a semi-automated processing technique.

RESULTS

When comparing cartilage thickness mean differences or changes over time, individuals post-ACLR did not demonstrate between limb differences (P-range = 0.50-0.92), limb differences compared to healthy controls (P-range = 0.19-0.94), or changes over time (P-range = 0.22-0.72) for any femoral cartilage thickness region. However, participants demonstrated cartilage thickening (45%) or thinning (35%) that exceeded minimal detectable change (MDC) from 4 to 6 months post-ACLR, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Using MDC scores may help better identify within-subject femoral cartilage thickness changes longitudinally post-ACLR due to bidirectional cartilage thickness changes.

Running kinetics and femoral trochlea cartilage characteristics in recreational and collegiate distance runners

Recreational running can benefit knee cartilage, but the relationship between competitive running and knee cartilage is unclear. We compared femoral cartilage between collegiate runners, recreational runners, and controls; and evaluated the association between running amount, running kinetics and femoral cartilage characteristics. Thirty collegiate runners, 30 recreational runners, and 30 controls completed ultrasound imaging of the femoral cartilage and running gait analysis. Outcomes included cartilage thickness, and echo-intensity from the medial and lateral femoral condyles; and the peak external knee flexion (KFM) and knee adduction moments. Cartilage outcomes were compared via one-way MANOVA. The associations between running kinetics, running amount, and femoral cartilage characteristics were assessed via linear regression models adjusted for sex. No differences were found in cartilage outcomes between groups (p = 0.067). Among recreational runners, a larger peak KFM was associated with lower medial femoral cartilage echo-intensity (ΔR2 = 0.176, Δp = 0.014). In collegiate runners, a greater self-reported running amount was associated with higher medial femoral cartilage (ΔR2 = 0.117, Δp = 0.046) and lateral cartilage (ΔR2 = 0.121, Δp = 0.042) echo-intensity. Cartilage did not differ between groups, but the association between running kinetics, running amount, and knee cartilage may vary between collegiate and recreational runners.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of the Normal Femoral Articular Cartilage of the Knee Joint: Comparison with 3D MRI

Objective

Ultrasonography (US) has a promising role in evaluating the knee joint, but capability to visualize the femoral articular cartilage needs systematic evaluation. We measured the extent of this acoustic window by comparing standardized US images with the corresponding MRI views of the femoral cartilage.

Design

Ten healthy volunteers without knee pathology underwent systematic US and MRI evaluation of both knees. The femoral cartilage was assessed on the oblique transverse axial plane with US and with 3D MRI. The acoustic window on US was compared to the corresponding views of the femoral sulcus and both condyles on MRI. The mean imaging coverage of the femoral cartilage and the cartilage thickness measurements on US and MRI were compared.

Results

Mean imaging coverage of the cartilage of the medial femoral condyle was 66% (range 54%-80%) and on the lateral femoral condyle 37% (range 25%-51%) compared with MRI. Mean cartilage thickness measurement in the femoral sulcus was 3.17 mm with US and 3.61 mm with MRI (14.0% difference). The corresponding measurements in the medial femoral condyle were 1.95 mm with US and 2.35 mm with MRI (21.0% difference), and in the lateral femoral condyle, they were 2.17 mm and 2.73 mm (25.6% difference), respectively.

Conclusion

Two-thirds of the articular cartilage of the medial femoral condyle, and one-third in the lateral femoral condyle, can be assessed with US. The cartilage thickness measurements seem to be underestimated by US. These results show promise for the evaluation of the weight-bearing cartilage of the medial femoral condyle with US.

Three-dimensional ultrasound for knee osteophyte depiction: a comparative study to computed tomography

Purpose

Osteophytes are common radiographic markers of osteoarthritis. However, they are not accurately depicted using conventional imaging, thus hampering surgical interventions that rely on pre-operative images. Studies have shown that ultrasound (US) is promising at detecting osteophytes and monitoring the progression of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound reconstructions may offer a means to quantify osteophytes. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of osteophyte depiction in the knee joint between 3D US and conventional computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Eleven human cadaveric knees were pre-screened for the presence of osteophytes. Three osteoarthritic knees were selected, and then, 3D US and CT images were obtained, segmented, and digitally reconstructed in 3D. After dissection, high-resolution structured light scanner (SLS) images of the joint surfaces were obtained. Surface matching and root mean square (RMS) error analyses of surface distances were performed to assess the accuracy of each modality in capturing osteophytes. The RMS errors were compared between 3D US, CT and SLS models.

Results

Average RMS error comparisons for 3D US versus SLS and CT versus SLS models were 0.87 mm ± 0.33 mm (average ± standard deviation) and 0.95 mm ± 0.32 mm, respectively. No statistical difference was found between 3D US and CT. Comparative observations of imaging modalities suggested that 3D US better depicted osteophytes with cartilage and fibrocartilage tissue characteristics compared to CT.

Conclusion

Using 3D US can improve the depiction of osteophytes with a cartilaginous portion compared to CT. It can also provide useful information about the presence and extent of osteophytes. Whilst algorithm improvements for automatic segmentation and registration of US are needed to provide a more robust investigation of osteophyte depiction accuracy, this investigation puts forward the potential application for 3D US in routine diagnostic evaluations and pre-operative planning of osteoarthritis.

Effect of acupotomy in knee osteoarthritis patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is common in China. Pharmacological therapy is not the first recommendation because of its safety issues. Nonpharmacological therapy, such as lifestyle adjustments, weight loss, muscle strengthening, and aerobic exercise programs, is strongly recommended for KOA. However, these approaches may fail due to poor patient compliance. There is a lack of high-quality randomized controlled trials of acupotomy, an effective treatment for KOA. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of acupotomy in patients with KOA.

Methods

A total of 136 patients will be enrolled at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and assigned to the acupotomy group or sham acupotomy group according to the block randomization scheme. Patients in the acupotomy group will receive 2 sessions of acupotomy for 2 weeks (once a week). Patients in the sham group will receive 2 sessions of sham stimulation for 2 weeks (once a week). All patients will use indomethacin cream externally. The primary outcome will be the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the secondary outcomes will be the visual analog scale (VAS) score, plantar pressure distribution test result, X-ray examination findings, musculoskeletal ultrasound findings, maximum knee circumference, joint mobility, and quality of life. Measurements will be taken at baseline, 1 week after the end of treatment, and at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first single-blind, sham-controlled study of acupotomy. The outcome assessors will also be blinded. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the efficacy of acupotomy in treating KOA.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000033047. Registered on 18 May 2020.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05247-z.

Imaging of knee osteoarthritis: A review of current evidence and clinical guidelines

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common and debilitating degenerative joint diseases worldwide. While radiography is the most commonly used imaging modality, it is associated with drawbacks which newer modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound could overcome. Nevertheless, the role of imaging in clinical practice and research in knee OA has not been clearly defined. Furthermore, guidelines on imaging in knee OA from different authoritative bodies have not been compared in previous studies. Therefore, the present review aims to summarise existing evidence and compare guidelines on the use of different imaging modalities in evaluating knee OA.

METHODS

This is a narrative review based on a search of published clinical guidelines and the PubMed database for articles published between 1 January 1990 and 31 May 2020.

RESULTS

There is no broad consensus on the value of imaging in patients with typical OA presentation. If imaging is required, current evidence and clinical guidelines support the use of radiography and MRI as first- and second-line diagnostic modalities respectively. Since radiographic OA features have limited sensitivity and do not manifest in early stages, MRI is the preferred option for whole-joint evaluation in OA research. Discrepancies exist regarding the use of alternative imaging modalities including ultrasound, computed tomography and nuclear medicine.

CONCLUSION

Radiography and MRI are the imaging modalities of choice. Other modalities have their respective advantages, and more research is warranted for the standardisation of image acquisition and interpretation methodology, in order to evaluate their validity, reliability and responsiveness in OA research.

Body mass index moderates the association between gait kinetics, body composition, and femoral knee cartilage characteristics

This study compared femoral cartilage characteristics between age- and sex-matched individuals with (n = 48, age = 22.8 ± 3.5 years; body mass index [BMI] = 33.1 ± 4.1 kg/m² ) and without obesity (n = 48 age = 22.0 ± 2.6 years; BMI = 21.7 ± 1.7 kg/m² ) and evaluated the associations between body composition, quadriceps function, and gait kinetics with femoral cartilage characteristics. Medial and lateral femoral cartilage thickness, medial:lateral thickness ratio and medial and lateral cartilage echo intensity were measured using ultrasound imaging. Body composition was assessed using air displacement plethysmography. Quadriceps function was assessed via maximal isometric knee extension. Three-dimensional gait biomechanics were recorded to extract peak external knee flexion and adduction moments, and peak loading rate of the vertical ground reaction force. Cartilage outcomes were compared between groups using one-way multivariate analysis of variance. Stepwise moderated regression evaluated the association between body composition, quadriceps function, and gait kinetics with femoral cartilage outcomes in individuals with and without obesity. Medial (75.24 vs 65.84; P < .001, d = 1.02) and lateral (58.81 vs 52.22; P < .001, d = 0.78) femoral cartilage echo intensity were higher in individuals with compared with those without obesity. A higher body fat percentage was associated with higher medial and lateral cartilage echo intensity (ΔR²  = 0.09-0.12) in individuals with obesity. A higher knee adduction moment was associated with a larger medial:lateral thickness ratio (ΔR²  = 0.09) in individuals without obesity. No associations were found between quadriceps function and cartilage outcomes. These findings suggest that high body fat in adults with obesity is associated with cartilage echo intensity. The obese body mass index was also associated with a lack of a positive relationship between cartilage thickness and joint loading during walking.

Meniscal Lesions in Geriatric Population: Prevalence and Association with Knee Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the prevalence of different types of meniscal lesions among elderly patients with knee pain. Moreover, this study assessed the relationship between meniscal lesions and the presence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) in the elderly population.

METHODS

The radiographs and magnetic resonance images of one knee out of 306 patients with knee pain aged 65-89 years were reviewed for knee OA and meniscal lesions. The prevalence of different types of meniscal lesions was calculated, and the relationship between the prevalence of meniscal lesion types and the presence of radiographic knee OA was analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 306 participants, 274 (89.5%) showed radiographic knee OA. We found one or more meniscal lesion(s) in 93% of the total subjects, in 94% of all patients with knee OA, and in 84% of all patients without knee OA. The prevalence of surgically target, possible-target, and nontarget lesions were 24%, 72%, and 69%, respectively. The prevalence of surgically target lesions was significantly higher in patients with knee OA than in those without it. The most common lesion observed was meniscal extrusion, followed by the horizontal and complex meniscal tears.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that meniscal damage is considerably prevalent among elderly individuals with knee pain, especially in those with knee OA. The fact that surgically target and possible-target lesions constitute a substantial proportion of these lesions should be considered in the clinical approach to these patients.

Are OMERACT Knee Osteoarthritis Ultrasound Scores Associated With Pain Severity, Other Symptoms, and Radiographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations of Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) ultrasound scores for knee osteoarthritis (OA) with pain severity, other symptoms, and OA severity on radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

Participants with symptomatic and mild to moderate radiographic knee OA underwent baseline dynamic ultrasound (US) assessment according to standardized OMERACT scanning protocol. Using the published US image atlas, a physician operator obtained semiquantitative or binary scores for US pathologies. Clinical severity was measured on numerical rating scale (NRS) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) symptoms and pain subscores. OA severity was assessed using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade on radiographs and MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) on noncontrast-enhanced MRI. Separate linear regression models were used to determine associations of US OA pathologies with pain and KOOS subscores, and Spearman correlations were used for US scores with KL grade and MOAKS.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine participants were included. Greater synovial hypertrophy, power Doppler (PD), and meniscal extrusion scores were associated with worse NRS pain [β 0.92 (95% CI 0.25-1.58), β 0.73 (95% CI 0.11-1.35), and β 1.01 (95% CI 0.22-1.80), respectively]. All greater US scores, except for cartilage grade, demonstrated significant associations with worse KOOS symptoms, whereas only PD and meniscal extrusion were associated with worse KOOS pain. All US scores, except for PD, were significantly correlated with KL grade. US pathologies, except for cartilage, revealed moderate to good correlation with their MOAKS counterparts, with US synovitis having the greatest correlation (0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.78).

CONCLUSION

OMERACT US scores revealed significant associations with pain severity, KL grade, and MOAKS.

Superb Microvascular Imaging in Low-Grade Inflammation of Knee Osteoarthritis Compared With Power Doppler: Clinical, Radiographic and MRI Relationship

We compared the assessment of active synovitis in knee osteoarthritis (OA) by utilising superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and conventional power Doppler (cPD) techniques, and then correlated each technique with paients' symptoms, radiographic features and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected synovitis. A subgroup of participants with symptomatic knee OA underwent dynamic ultrasound assessment for semi-quantitative scores for SMI and cPD in the suprapatellar, medial and lateral parapatellar knee recesses. Knee pain and other symptoms were evaluated with the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS). OA severity was assessed using the Kellgren and Lawrence grade (KLG) on radiograph and effusion-synovitis and Hoffa's synovitis score of MRI osteoarthritis knee score on non-contrast-enhanced MRI sequences. The χ² test and κ statistics were conducted to compare detectability of SMI and cPD for low-grade inflammation, and the Spearman's correlation and Fisher's r to z transformation were conducted to compare correlations of both techniques with symptoms and imaging severity. A total of 89 participants were included in the analyses. SMI increased the detection rate by 25.5% for grade 0 cPD, by 35.4% for grade 1 cPD and by 9% for grade 2 cPD. SMI showed significant correlations with KOOS symptoms, KLG, MRI effusion-synovitis and Hoffa's synovitis scores (r = -0.24 [-0.45, -0.01]; r = 0.31 [0.10, 0.50]; r = 0.49 [0.33, 0.63]; and r = 0.54 [0.37, 0.68]). The cPD was significantly correlated with KOOS pain, other symptoms, MRI effusion-synovitis and Hoffa's synovitis (r = -0.23 [-0.44, -0.01]; r = -0.29 [-0.49, -0.06]; r = 0.46 [0.28, 61], r = 0.46 [0.25, 0.63]). However, no significant differences were detected in their extent of correlations. SMI can detect low-grade inflammation implicated in OA disease better than cPD and reveal a significant correlation with symptoms, radiographic features and MRI synovitis. The added clinical value of SMI over cPD is still not clear.

Association between grayscale sonographic and clinical findings in severe knee osteoarthritis

PURPOSE

To assess whether ultrasonographic (US) findings associate with clinical findings in severe knee osteoarthritis (OA). Association of US findings with side-of-knee pain and inter-reader agreement of knee US were also evaluated.

METHODS

One-hundred-two patients (in total 123 knees) with severe knee OA were recruited for this cross-sectional study. US was performed by a single observer, and on 53 knees by two independent observers to assess inter-reader reliability. Preoperative clinical data was available for 69 knees. Cutoff values were applied to dichotomize US and clinical findings. The Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and prevalence- and bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) were applied for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Seven of 99 associations tested were statistically significant. Associations were observed between range of flexion and lateral femoral (P = .009) and tibial (P = .001) osteophytes, mediolateral instability and damage to the lateral femoral cartilage (P = .014) and damage to the lateral meniscus (P = .031), and alignment and damage to the lateral femoral cartilage (P < .001), lateral tibial osteophytes (P = .037), and damage to the lateral meniscus (P < .001). A strong association was observed between medial-sided pain and same-sided cartilage damage and osteophytes (P < .001). That inter-reader agreement was excellent on the medial side of the knee joint (PABAK = 0.811-0.887).

CONCLUSIONS

US findings show a rather poor association with clinical OA findings. Inter-reader agreement of knee US is excellent on the medial side.

Pharmacodynamics, efficacy, safety and administration of intra-articular therapies for knee osteoarthritis

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability in the elderly, usually presenting with mono-or oligo-arthritis where local drug delivery by intra-articular (IA) injection may be more effective in terms of increased bioavailability, less systemic exposure and reduced adverse events. Several intra-articular medications for symptomatic are available on the market while the new disease-modifying drugs (DMOADs) are progressing into phase 3 pipeline of drug development.Areas covered: This narrative review covered the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of clinically available IA drugs which include corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid as well as injection techniques, efficacy, adverse effects and contraindications. In addition, the authors briefly describe the newer disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOAD) which are undergoing phase 3 pipeline of development such as Fibroblast growth factor (FGF-18) and Wnt inhibitor.Expert opinion: This is a rapidly evolving area with both new products and new trials regularly emerging. It is also a critically important area in a disease field that lacks for safe and effective treatments, where intra-articular delivery may enhance both local efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity.

Correlation Between Medial Meniscal Extrusion Determined by Dynamic Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Medial-Type Knee Osteoarthritis in Patients With Knee Pain

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between medial meniscal extrusion (MME) determined by dynamic ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging findings of medial-type knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Single knees of 102 patients with knee pain were assessed by radiography, dynamic US, and magnetic resonance imaging. All knee radiographs were interpreted and grouped according to the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) scale. Medial meniscal extrusion in non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing positions and the difference of these values (ΔMME) were measured by dynamic US. The medial tibiofemoral compartments of all knees were evaluated and grouped according to the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS). Mean values of non-weight-bearing MME, weight-bearing MME, and ΔMME ± standard deviations for groups formed according to the KL scale and WORMS system were compared.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that different from non-weight-bearing MME, weight-bearing MME was significantly correlated with not only high grades but also lower grades of cartilage damage and subchondral bone marrow lesions in medial-type knee OA. Although the difference in non-weight-bearing MME between cartilage status groups 1 and 2 was not significant (P = .071), there were significant differences in of weight-bearing MME between groups 1 and 2, between groups 2 and 3, and between groups 3 and group 4 (P = .003, .002, and .032, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We found statistically significant associations between MME values and the severity of the OA findings according to both the KL scale and WORMS system. We offer dynamic US as an initial tool for the diagnosis and a screening method to estimate the severity of knee OA.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound in symptomatic thumb-base osteoarthritis: clinical, functional, radiological and muscle strength associations

Background

Thumb-base osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain and disability This study aimed to investigate the associations of musculoskeletal ultrasound OA pathologies with the extent of pain, function, radiographic scores, and muscle strength in symptomatic thumb-base osteoarthritis.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of an ongoing clinical trial with eligibility criteria including thumb-base pain on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ≥40 (0 to 100 mm), Functional Index for Hand OA (FIHOA) ≥ 6 (0 to 30) and Kellgren Lawrence (KL) grade ≥ 2. The most symptomatic side was scanned to measure synovitis and osteophyte severity using a 0–3 semi-quantitative score, power Doppler and erosion in binary score. A linear regression model was used for associations of ultrasound findings with VAS pain, FIHOA and hand grip and pinch strength tests after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, disease duration and KL grade as appropriate. For correlation of ultrasound features with KL grade, OARSI ((Osteoarthritis Research Society International) osteophyte and JSN scores, Eaton grades, Spearman coefficients were calculated, and a significant test defined as a p-value less than 0.05.

Results

The study included 93 participants (mean age of 67.04 years, 78.5% females). Presence of power Doppler has a significant association with VAS pain [adjusted β coefficient = 11.29, P = 0.02] while other ultrasound pathologies revealed no significant associations with all clinical outcomes.

In comparison to radiograph, ultrasonographic osteophyte score was significantly associated with KL grade [r_s = 0.44 (P < 0.001)], OARSI osteophyte grade [r_s = 0.35 (P = 0.001)], OARSI JSN grade [r_s = 0.43 (P < 0.001)] and Eaton grade [r_s = 0.30 (P < 0.01)]. Ultrasonographic erosion was significantly related with radiographic erosion [r_s = − 0.49 (P = 0.001)].

Conclusion

From a clinical perspective the significant relationship of power Doppler with pain severity in thumb base OA suggests this might be a useful tool in understanding pain aetiology. It is important to recognise that power Doppler activity was only detected in 14% of the study so this might be an important subgroup of persons to monitor more closely.

Trial registration

Registered at Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), http://www.anzctr.org.au/, ACTRN12616000353493.

Effectiveness of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Clinical Parameters and Ultrasonographic Cartilage Thickness in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Trial

Objective:

A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound (US) in knee OA.

Patients and Methods:

Thirty-three patients (mean age 54.7 ± 14.7) were randomized to receive either continuous US (n = 15) or sham US (n = 18) as a placebo. Continuous ultrasonic waves with 1 MHZ frequency and 1 watt/cm² power were applied for 5 min for 10 sessions. The primary outcome was pain on movement assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes were WOMAC scores and measurements of distal femoral cartilage thickness by imaging US.

Results:

Both groups showed reduced knee pain on movement following intervention. The VAS measurements improved significantly both in the treatment and the placebo group patients (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05). WOMAC scores improved statistically significant in all domains (pain, stiffness, physical function, and total score) in the treatment group (P < 0.05). All domains of WOMAC score showed statistically significant change when compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). There was no change in the cartilage thickness measurements of medial femoral condyle, lateral femoral condyle, and intercondylar area in both groups after intervention.

Conclusion:

Results suggest that US is effective treatment modality in pain relief and improvement of function in patients with knee OA; however, US had no effect on cartilage repair.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Femoral Cartilage in Individuals With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Case-Control Study

CONTEXT

Developing osteoarthritis is common after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Monitoring changes in femoral cartilage size after ACLR may be a way to detect the earliest structural alterations before the radiographic onset of osteoarthritis. Diagnostic ultrasonography (US) offers a clinically accessible and valid method for evaluating anterior femoral cartilage size.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the US measurements of anterior femoral cross-sectional area and cartilage thickness between limbs in individuals with a unilateral ACLR and between the ACLR limbs of these individuals and the limbs of uninjured control participants.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

A total of 20 volunteers with an ACLR (37.0 ± 26.6 months after surgery) and 28 uninjured volunteers.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

We used US to assess anterior femoral cartilage cross-sectional area and thickness (ie, medial, lateral, and intercondylar) in the ACLR and contralateral limbs of participants with ACLR and unilaterally in the reference limbs of uninjured participants.

RESULTS

The ACLR limb presented with greater anterior femoral cartilage cross-sectional area (96.68 ± 22.68 mm²) than both the contralateral (85.69 ± 17.57 mm², t₁₉ = 4.47; P < .001) and uninjured (84.62 ± 15.89 mm², t₄₆ = 2.17; P = .04) limbs. The ACLR limb presented with greater medial condyle thickness (2.61 ± 0.61 mm) than both the contralateral (2.36 ± 0.47 mm, t₁₉ = 2.78; P = .01) and uninjured limbs (2.22 ± 0.40 mm, t₄₆ = 2.69; P = .01) and greater lateral condyle thickness (2.46 ± 0.65 mm) than the uninjured limb (2.12 ± 0.41 mm, t₄₆ = 2.20; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior femoral cartilage cross-sectional area and thickness assessed via US were greater in the ACLR limb than in the contralateral and uninjured limbs. Greater thickness and cross-sectional area may have been due to cartilage swelling or hypertrophy after ACLR, which may affect the long-term health of the joint.

Ultrasound anatomy of the normal stifle in the sheep

Though the ovine stifle is commonly used as a model in research, there is no description of its anatomy at ultrasonography (US). The objective of this study was to provide reference US images of the ovine stifle that are relevant in musculoskeletal research. Four pairs of hindlimbs were scanned, whilst four other pairs were frozen and cut in different planes to compare gross anatomy to US scans. In another pair, the synovial compartments of the stifle were injected and scanned. This study demonstrated that US could be used to assess the ovine stifle. Several structures of clinical interest could be identified with cranial, lateral and medial approaches, such as (a) the tendons of m. quadriceps femoris, m. gluteobiceps, m. popliteus, (b) the common tendon of m. peroneus tertius-extensor longus digitorum-extensor digiti III proprius, (c) the patellar ligament, (d) the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, (e) the cranial horn and middle segment of medial and lateral meniscus, and (f) the synovial recesses. However, the caudal approach was not successful to identify caudal anatomical structures of the joint, due to the muscular mass, that is the caudal aspects of the articular surfaces of the femoral and tibial condyles, the caudal horns of the menisci and the supracondylar synovial recesses. In addition, US remained challenging to assess the internal structures such as cruciate ligaments and articular surfaces. The feasibility of US needs to be tested in vivo.

Ultrasonography of the late-stage knee osteoarthritis prior to total knee arthroplasty: comparison of the ultrasonographic, radiographic and intra-operative findings

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ultrasonography (US) on detecting osteoarthritis of the knee, and compare US and radiographic findings to intraoperative total knee arthroplasty (TKA) findings. Fifty-seven late-stage osteoarthritic knees undergoing TKA were evaluated with US and radiography. Standard knee US assessing femoral cartilage damage, osteophytes, effusion, synovitis, and meniscal extrusion was performed. On radiographs, osteophytes, joint space narrowing, and Kellgren-Lawrence grade were evaluated. Corresponding intra-operative findings were assessed during TKA as the gold standard. On the damage of the medial femoral condyle cartilage, the sensitivity of US was high (92%), whereas on the lateral condyle and sulcus area, sensitivities were 58% and 46%, respectively. On osteophytes, the detection rate of the US was remarkable especially on the medial side yielding sensitivities of 90–95%. The sensitivities for detecting effusion and synovitis were also excellent (97%). US detection rate of femoral cartilage damage was in concordance with the radiographic joint space narrowing. For the detection of osteophytes, US provided superior results to radiography particularly on the medial side. In conclusion, US can reliably assess the late-stage OA changes of the knee especially on the medial side of the knee joint.

Clinimetrics of ultrasound pathologies in osteoarthritis: systematic literature review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to systematically review clinimetrics of commonly assessed ultrasound pathologies in knee, hip and hand osteoarthritis (OA), and to conduct a meta-analysis for each clinimetric.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from their inceptions to September 2016. According to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Instrument Selection Algorithm, data extraction focused on ultrasound technical features and performance metrics. Methodological quality was assessed with modified 19-item Downs and Black score and 11-item Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) score. Separate meta-analyses were performed for clinimetrics: (1) inter-rater/intra-rater reliability; (2) construct validity; (3) criteria validity; and (4) internal/external responsiveness. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Excel and Comprehensive Meta-analysis were used.

RESULT

Our search identified 1126 records; of these, 100 were eligible, including a total of 8542 patients and 32,373 joints. The average Downs and Black score was 13.01, and average QAREL was 5.93. The stratified meta-analysis was performed only for knee OA, which demonstrated moderate to substantial reliability [minimum kappa > 0.44(0.15,0.74), minimum intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.82(0.73-0.89)], weak construct validity against pain (r = 0.12 to 0.27), function (r = 0.15 to 0.23), and blood biomarkers (r = 0.01 to 0.21), but weak to strong correlation with plain radiography (r = 0.13 to 0.60), strong association with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) [minimum r = 0.60(0.52,0.67)] and strong discrimination against symptomatic patients (OR = 3.08 to 7.46). There was strong criterion validity against cartilage histology [r = 0.66(-0.05,0.93)], and small to moderate internal [standardized mean difference(SMD) = 0.20 to 0.58] and external (r = 0.35 to 0.43) responsiveness to interventions.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound demonstrated strong criterion validity with cartilage histology, poor to strong correlation with patient findings and MRI, moderate reliability, and low responsiveness to interventions.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NO

CRD42016039954.