Comparison of MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score with Clinico-Radiological Grading

Background  Knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) is among the most prevalent degenerative diseases of the joints in the body. Various scoring system exists for grading OA, such as (1) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS), (2) clinical grading by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and (3) X-ray grading of the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system (K-L). Objectives  To study MRI findings and MOAKS scoring of knee OA and correlation with WOMAC and K-L scoring. Setting and Design  Cross-sectional study in hospital population. Materials and Methods  A total 40 knee OA cases underwent an MRI of the knee. MOAKS scoring was done and compared with K-L grading and WOMAC scores. Statistical Analysis  Collected data were compiled systematically and interpreted using IBM SPSS statistics software 25.0. A p -value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results  The mean total WOMAC score was 9. K-L grade 2 was the most prevalent X-ray grade. Bone marrow lesion (BML) and cartilage loss in MOAKS score were greater in the medial femorotibial region. A moderate positive correlation was noted between the WOMAC score and K-L grade; full-thickness articular cartilage loss score at the medial femorotibial joint (MFTJ) and WOMAC score; partial-thickness articular cartilage loss score at lateral femorotibial joint (LFTJ) and WOMAC total pain score. No correlation was found between BML and pain severity score. Conclusion Higher WOMAC scores were associated with higher grades of K-L scoring and score of cartilage loss (partial and full thickness) of the MOAKS scoring system. The rest of the features of the MOAKS score (BML score, osteophyte, and synovitis) had no significant association with pain severity and K-L grading.