The degree of radiographic abnormalities and postural instability in patients with knee osteoarthritis

To determine the degree of radiographic abnormalities based on Kellgren-Lawrence criteria, to determine posturography features in patients with knee OA.

Ninety nine subjects were recruited by consecutive sampling at the outpatient clinic of Internal Medicine in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. History taking and physical examination including rheumatology examination were conducted, followed by knee radiographic examination in weight bearing and 30 degree skyline position. A cross sectional design was performed to evaluate the variable results for degree of radiolographic abnormalites and posturography results.

The subjects were 79.8% women and 20.2% men, mostly > or = 60 year-old (78.8%), with low education 76.8%, BMI > or = 23 74.7%, mean value of active VAS was 5.4, mean value of passive VAS 2.8. Mild radiographic abnormality was found in 77.8% subjects, and the others were severe, i.e. 22.2%. There were increase in length of postural sway, increase of postural sway velocity, and increase in area of postural sway in patients with knee OA compared with normal subjects with 40-60 years old.

There is an increase in nearly all variables of posturography in patients with knee OA.