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Tibial Osteophytes as Indicator of Osteoarthritis: Morphometry and Clinical Importance

Category ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
Authors Prajakta K, Rohini M
Abstract Background: An osteophyte is a bony outgrowth, covered with fibrocartilage,that is one of the hallmarks of osteoarthritis especially in the knee joint. Risk factors for development of osteophytes include age, physical activity, body mass index, and other genetic and environmental factors. Aim: To analyze the frequency and morphological features of osteophytes at the upper end of dry tibia bones and to define any relationship between the size of osteophytes and that of the intercondylar tibial spines. Methods: We evaluated 75 dry tibia bones for the degree of osteoarthritis at the upper end. Each plateau at the superior surface of the upper end was divided into four quadrants and the presence and size of bone outgrowths were recorded in each quadrant. The “medial/lateral tibial intercondylar spine index” for each specimen was calculated and relation with the osteophytes was observed. The measurements were meticulously recorded and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: In the present study, osteophytes were found more frequently in the anterior quadrants of both the tibial plateaus than in the posterior quadrants. Grade 1 osteophytes were the most common type of osteophytes with predominance in anterior quadrants of both medial and lateral tibial plateaus. There was positive correlation between grades of osteophytes and spine index. Conclusion: This study would help clinicians to understand the morphological changes in the upper end of tibia in osteoarthritis which would help them in planning the management.
Year 2020
Month April
Volume 9
Issue 2
Published On 30 May 2020
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