1 research outputs found
Definition and classification of early osteoarthritis of the knee
With the emerging interest in regenerative
medicine and tissue engineering, new treatment modalities
being developed for joint disorders including joint surface
lesions and articular cartilage defects. The clinical outcome
of these novel approaches appears rather unpredictable and
is due to many reasons but definitely also linked to the
patient profile. As a typical example, symptomatic articular
cartilage lesions can be presented in an otherwise normal
joint, or associated with several other joint tissue alterations
including meniscal lesions and abnormalities of the
underlying bone. The outcome of novel treatments may
well be influenced by the status of the whole joint, and the
potential to develop osteoarthritis. To better identify the
patients at risk and responders to certain treatments, it is of
use to define and most importantly classify patients with
‘‘early osteoarthritis’’. Here, classification criteria for this
group of patients are presented, allowing a more defined
and accurate inclusion in clinical trials in the future