We investigated the relationship between morphological features in the lower limbs and the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in 6-years.
Volunteer subjects from Toei (101 women and 54 men). Knee OA was evaluated on whole-leg radiographs. Subjects were divided into group 1, no knee OA; group 2, stable knee OA that showed no progression; group 3, knee OA that had progressed over 6 years. Demographic hip and knee measurement factors were compared the three groups.
Women, age, body mass index (BMI), abductor angle of the hip, and mechanical-axis deviation were higher in group 2 than in group 1. BMI, the mechanical axis deviation were higher in group 3 than in group 1. Femoral offset was lower in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. Men, age, condylar-hip angle, plateau-ankle angle were higher in group 2 than in group 1. Age, BMI were higher in group 3 than in groups 1. Condylar-hip and plateau-ankle angles were lower in group 3 than in group 2.
Strategies aimed at strengthening the muscles around the hip, changes in lifestyle should be implemented, especially in patients with changes in geometric indices of the hip and knee.