Flexion contracture is associated with knee joint degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging: data from the...

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is often accompanied by a flexion contracture (FC), resulting in worse clinical outcomes. Our objective was to determine associations between knee FC and specific regional and/or structural alterations on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI).

600 knees from the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health sub-study of the OAI were included. Knee extension was measured with a goniometer and FC was defined as inability to extend the knee to 0°. Structural alterations within the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS)-assessed regions that could potentially obstruct knee extension were primarily analysed. Multivariable linear regression models evaluated the effect size of MRI outcomes on knee extension.

One-third (33.4%) of all participants had knee FC: 155 mild (1-5°, 26.0%), 44 moderate-severe (≥6°, 7.4%). Mean knee alignment was 0.3±3.7° valgus. Cartilage morphology and bone marrow lesion (BML) scores on the femoral side of the lateral patellofemoral joint were associated with lost knee extension (β=0.709, p<0.001, and β=0.666, p<0.001, respectively) as were higher osteophyte scores in multiple regions, worse meniscal score in the medial meniscal body (β=0.164, p<0.040) and posterior horn (β=0.400, p<0.001), and a worse effusion score (β=0.711, p<0.001).

Knee flexion contractures were associated with non-specific, widespread MRI degenerative changes including cartilage loss and BMLs in the lateral patellofemoral joint, osteophytes, meniscal alterations and whole-joint effusion. Loss of knee extension in OA is likely a structurally-multifactorial outcome.