Clinical and ultrasonographic findings related to knee pain in osteoarthritis

SummaryObjectivesTo determine clinical and sonographic factors associated with painful episodes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsIn this cross-sectional controlled study, patients with primary knee OA (ACR criteria) were prospectively placed into two groups. Group A: 81 patients with knee pain during physical activity ≥30mm in visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain for at least 48h prior to inclusion; Group B: 20 patients without knee pain from at least 1 month prior to inclusion. Clinical parameters, knee radiographic and ultrasonographic findings were collected. The sonographic study assessed joint effusion in the suprapatellar pouch, infrapatellar superficial and deep bursitis, meniscal lesions, anserine tendinobursitis, and Baker's cyst.ResultsGroup A patients tended to be older and heavier women than group B (P<0.05). The most frequent radiographic stage was III (57%) in group A, and I (35%) and II (35%) in group B, showing differences in the distribution of each radiographic stage (P<0.005). The most frequent ultrasonographic finding in group A was suprapatellar effusion (79%), and in group B it was meniscal lesions (40%). Ultrasonographic findings showed in group A a significant increase of suprapatellar effusion (P