[Is gonarthrosis with varus deformity a clinical entity]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Metabolic Bone Disease
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Varose deformity, particularly genu varum, is associated with articular diseases.
• Bone metabolism alterations may play a role in the pathogenesis of varose deformity and related joint conditions.
• Understanding these metabolic changes is crucial for diagnosing and managing associated conditions like gonarthrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate individual bone metabolism in patients with varose deformity compared to healthy controls and patients with other articular diseases.
• To analyze urinary excretion of hydroxyproline, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium balance after intravenous calcium administration.
• To correlate clinical and radiological findings with metabolic profiles in genu varum patients.

Main Methods:

• Bone metabolism studies involving intravenous calcium administration.
• Analysis of urinary hydroxyproline, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calciuria.
• Radiological examination (X-ray) for bone structure changes (sclerosis, necrosis, osteophytes).
• Epidemiological analysis including body mass index (Broca formula) and age of onset of knee pain.

Main Results:

• Subjects with genu varum showed decreased urinary hydroxyproline and nitrogen excretion after calcium administration.
• This group exhibited the lowest urine output, reduced calciuria, and highest calcium retention.
• Patients with gonarthrosis and varose deformity excreted significantly less phosphorus post-calcium infusion compared to controls.
• X-rays revealed more pronounced bone changes (sclerosis, necrosis, osteophytes) in genu varum patients.
• Overweight (83.3%) and onset of knee pain around age 50 were common; varicose syndrome and phlebitis were also prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Patients with gonarthrosis and varose deformity demonstrate unique bone metabolic patterns, including high calcium retention and altered phosphorus excretion.
• Distinct radiological findings in genu varum suggest a localized bone process.
• Gonarthrosis associated with varose deformity may represent a distinct clinical entity separate from other degenerative joint diseases.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms and implications of these findings.