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Previous Knee Symptoms, BME and Advanced Age: Crucial for Post-traumatic Knee Osteoarthritis

BME in patient with knee OA

Physicians should draw extra attention on the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA) as a result of a knee injury, shows a new study. The risk of knee osteoarthritis following trauma may be increased further in the presence of a history of non-traumatic knee symptoms, bone marrow edema (BME) and advanced age.

Main results

  • 32% of 1,068 participants developed osteoarthritis of the knee or showed a progression of their knee osteoarthritis showed MRI at the sixth
  • Knee osteoarthritis six years following knee trauma was predicted by the presence of non-traumatic knee symptoms, patients’ age and presence of bone marrow edema during initial MRI.

Design of the study

  • 1,068 consecutive patients who had seen a general practitioner because of new knee symptoms were assessed at the study entry by an MRI and a questionnaire. In 6 years another MRI and antero-posterior knee radiograph was made.
  • Funding: Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Anna Foundation, TRIAS, Zilveren Kruis, Achmea and OZ.

Why is this important?

Physicians, including general practitioners, should pay attention to the development of knee OA as a result of knee trauma.

Reference

Kastelein, Marlous, et al. "Knee osteoarthritis in traumatic knee symptoms in general practice: 6-year cohort study." BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2.1 (2016): e000153.

Tags: osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, trauma