MR Imaging of Intra- and Periarticular Cyst-Like Lesions of the Knee Joint in Workers with Occupational Kneeling

Objective. To determine the risk of intra- and periarticular cyst-like lesions of the knee joint in occupational kneeling. Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging of both knees (n = 282) was conducted in 92 male floor layers and 49 male graphic designers (referents), with a mean age of 55.6 years (range 42–70 years). The prevalence of cyst-like lesions was computed among floor layers and graphic designers, respectively, and associations with occupation summarized by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Using logistic regression, models were adjusted for age, body mass index, knee injuries, and knee-straining sports. Results. Floor layers had a significantly higher prevalence of cyst-like lesions in the posterior part of the knee joint compared to graphic designers (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.50–4.84). Floor layers also had a higher prevalence of fluid collections in the popliteus tendon recess (OR 2.17, 95% CI 0.99–4.77) and large cystic lesions of the popliteus muscle (OR 3.83, 95% CI 0.78–18.89). The prevalence of cystic lesions in the anterior part of the knee joint was low among floor layers (8.7%) and there was no significant difference between the two trade groups (P = 0.34). Conclusions. Occupational kneeling increases the risk of cyst-like lesions in the posterior part of the knee joint

Occupational kneeling and radiographic tibiofemoral and patellofemoral osteoarthritis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between occupational kneeling and compartment specific radiographic tibiofemoral (TF) and patellofemoral (PF) osteoarthritis (OA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Questionnaire data and bilateral knee radiographs were obtained in 134 male floor layers and 120 male graphic designers (referents). Weight-bearing radiographs in three views (postero-anterior, lateral and axial) were classified according to joint space narrowing. After the exclusion of subjects with reports of earlier knee injuries the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of TF and PF OA was computed among floor layers compared to graphic designers in three age groups (≤ 49; 50–59; ≥ 60 years). Using logistic regression, estimates were adjusted for body mass index and knee-straining sports. In addition, the association between trade seniority and TF OA was assessed in age-adjusted test for trend analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of TF OA was significantly higher among floor layers aged 50–59 years compared to graphic designers (OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.1–12.0) while non-significant estimates were found in the young and elderly age groups. Furthermore, the adjusted OR of TF OA increased with trade seniority among floor layers (test for trend, OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0–5.1), but not among graphic designers (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.4–3.5). There were no significant differences regarding PF OA between the two occupational groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results corroborate the existence of a causal relationship between occupational kneeling and radiographic TF OA and suggest a dose-response association with trade seniority. An association between kneeling and PF OA was however doubtful. Apparent discrepancies between findings in different age groups are most likely reflecting selection bias.</p

Spondyloarthritis-related and degenerative MRI changes in the axial skeleton--an inter- and intra-observer agreement study

BACKGROUND: The Back Pain Cohort of Southern Denmark (BaPa Cohort) was initiated with the aim of evaluating the clinical relevance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of early spondyloarthritis (SpA). In order to facilitate the collection of MRI data for this study, an electronic evaluation form was developed including both SpA-related and degenerative axial changes. The objective of the current study was to assess the intra- and inter-observer agreement of the MRI changes assessed. METHODS: Three radiologists evaluated 48 MRI scans of the whole spine and the sacroiliac joints from a subsample of the BaPa Cohort, consisting of patients with non-specific low back pain and patients with different stages of SpA features. The spine was evaluated for SpA-related and degenerative MRI changes and the SIJ for SpA-related changes. Inter- and intra-observer agreements were calculated with kappa statistics. In the interpretation of the kappa coefficient, the standards for strength of agreement reported by Landis and Koch were followed. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients, 40% men and mean age of 31 years (range 18 – 40 years), were evaluated once by all three readers and re-evaluated by two of the readers after 4-12 weeks. For MRI changes in the spine, substantial to almost perfect observer agreement was found for the location and the size of vertebral signal changes and for disc degeneration and disc contour. For the sacroiliac joints, substantial or almost perfect observer agreement was found for the grading of bone marrow oedema and fatty marrow deposition, the depth of bone marrow oedema and for subchondral sclerosis. Global assessment of the SpA diagnosis had substantial to almost perfect observer agreements. CONCLUSION: The acceptable agreement for key MRI changes in the spine and sacroiliac joints makes it possible to use these MRI changes in the BaPa Cohort study and other studies investigating MRI changes in patients with non-specific low back pain and suspected SpA

Patient-related outcome, fracture displacement and bone mineral density following distal radius fracture in young and older men

Background: Distal radius fractures can adversely affect wrist function; for men with this fracture, the role played by fracture severity, age and osteoporosis on fracture outcome has not been sufficiently studied. Objective: To describe patient-reported outcome and the association with bone integrity, fracture severity and future fracture risk among young and older men with distal radius fracture. Methods: This prospective study includes 133 men with acute distal radius fracture, mean age 54 (range 21–88), who were followed for 12 months. They were categorized as younger ( 15 was defined as poor outcome. Fractures were classified and radiographic displacement identified at initial presentation and follow-up. BMD was measured and FRAX 10-year probability of fracture calculated. Results: Disability was higher in older men (DASHmedian 10 vs 2; p = 0.002); a clinically meaningful difference (ΔDASH = 10, p = 0.017) remained after adjustment for displacement, fracture classification and treatment method. Almost 50% of older men vs 14% in younger had poor outcome, p < 0.001. Bone mineral density did not independently predict outcome. Older men with a displaced fracture at initial presentation had greater disability (DASHmedian, IQR 45, 14;73) and risk of fracture (FRAXmajor osteoporotic 14, 8;21). Conclusion: Men over the age of 65 with a distal radius fracture are more likely to have post-fracture disability regardless of radiographic appearance. Fracture displacement, indicating impaired bone strength, is also more common and associated with an increased risk of fracture within 10-years. Secondary fracture prevention should therefore be considered in men presenting with distal radius fracture

Proteoglycan epitope in synovial fluid in gonarthrosis : 28 cases of tibial osteotomy studied prospectively for 2 years

High tibial osteotomy was performed for medial gonarthrosis in 28 patients. Preoperatively, and at 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery, clinical and radiographic examinations were made, and joint-fluid samples were aspirated. Arthroscopy was performed preoperatively and at 24 months. Immunoassay of proteoglycan epitope in joint fluid showed an increase in concentration at all times as compared with a reference population with normal knee joints. An increase in both the concentration and the total amount of proteoglycan epitope in joint fluid was noted at 3 months postoperatively with a return to preoperative values at later times. Regrowth of fibrocartilage did not correlate with proteoglycan epitope dat

Risk factors for joint replacement in knee osteoarthritis; a 15-year follow-up study

Abstract Background To evaluate whether clinical, radiographic or MRI findings are associated with long term risk for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in persons with knee osteoarthritis. Methods We performed a follow-up analysis of 100 persons with knee osteoarthritis who participated in a clinical trial between 2000 and 2002. Clinical data as well as radiography and MRI of the inclusion knee were obtained in all participants. Data on TKA procedures were extracted from The Danish National Patient Register. Clinical, radiographic and MRI findings were analyzed for associations with subsequent TKA. Results During a mean follow-up period of 15 years, 66% received a TKA in the included knee (target knee); 37% also received a TKA in the other knee. The degree of joint space narrowing was highly associated with subsequent TKA (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5.0 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.6 – 9.9)) as was a radiological sum score comprising joint space narrowing, osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis and cysts (adjusted OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.3 – 2.1)). MRI detected bone marrow lesions, synovitis and effusion were similarly associated with subsequent TKA with an adjusted OR of 2.3 (95% CI 1.3 – 4.0), 2.8 (95% CI 1.5 – 5.2) and 1.9 (95% CI 1.2 – 3.1), respectively. Increased body mass index (BMI) was not associated with subsequent TKA in the target knee but was associated with TKA in the other knee (OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.2 – 4.3). Conclusions Radiographic findings including joint space narrowing and MRI detected bone marrow lesions, synovitis and effusion were all significantly associated with the long term risk of TKA in persons with knee osteoarthritis