[Clinical and radiographic characteristics of patients with osteoarthritis of knees].

The study of 60 outpatients with clinical diagnosis of the osteoarthritis (OA) of the knees is performed. Measured parameters were: general demographic data, clinical data and standard radiographic x-ray of knees in standing position, graduated by Kellgren and Lawrence clasificiation from 0-4. The aim of this study was to establish clinical and radiographic features of OA of knees and to compare those characteristiscs in the two subgroups of patients according to radiographic stages: a group of an early disease (stages 0 or 1) and a group of late disease (stages from 2 to 4). The mean age was 60 years with range from 39 to 85 years. 85% of patients were female. Distribution of patients according to Kellgren and Lawrence radiographic stages was as follows: 13 patients (21,7%) in grade 0, 17 (28,3%) in grade 1, 10 (16,7%) in grade 2, 11 (18,3%) in grade 3, and nine patients (15%) in grade 4. Crepitus on movement was registered in aproximatelly 80% of all patients, with no difference between early and late disease. Instability of the knee was present in eleven patients (18%), with more than a half of them (56%) in a radiographic grade 4 of OA of knees. There were no difference between functional parameters comparing original group of patients and two sub-groupes. Crepitus on movement was not related to any specific radiographic stage of disease, but instability of knee was frequently registered in late disease.