Osteoarthritis Diagnosis: Knee X-Ray and Clinical Criteria for Joint Degeneration and Mechanical Pain

Dear colleagues, osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent joint diseases and represents a significant challenge in daily clinical practice. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis relies on a combination of clinical criteria and radiographic findings, which is essential for guiding appropriate therapeutic management and improving our patients' quality of life.

Diving Deeper into Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

The knee X-ray remains the most commonly used imaging tool for diagnosing osteoarthritis, allowing for the evaluation of key features such as joint space narrowing and the presence of osteophytes. These findings are fundamental for classifying the severity of the disease and planning treatment [1]. However, it is important to remember that the correlation between radiographic findings and clinical symptoms can be variable [2].

The clinical criteria for diagnosing osteoarthritis include the presence of mechanical pain, short-duration morning stiffness, and functional limitation. The clinical assessment should be complemented by a detailed history and a thorough physical examination to identify signs such as crepitus, joint tenderness, and deformities [3].

In recent years, new classification criteria for hand osteoarthritis have been developed, combining self-reported data and radiographic features, thereby improving the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis [4]. These advancements underscore the importance of a comprehensive evaluation that integrates both clinical and radiographic criteria.

Conclusions

The accurate diagnosis of osteoarthritis is crucial for effective disease management. The combination of clinical criteria and findings from knee X-ray provides a solid foundation for the identification and classification of osteoarthritis. As we advance our understanding of this disease, it is essential that we continue to integrate new evidence and criteria into our clinical practice to optimize outcomes for our patients.

Referencias

• [1] Osteoarthritis classifications: Modification proposal for the criteria of Kellgren and Vallotton
• [2] Concordance between clinical and radiographic evaluations of knee osteoarthritis
• [3] What is the role of imaging in the clinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis and disease management?
• [4] 2023 EULAR classification criteria for hand osteoarthritis

Created 5/1/2025