Knee Effusion-Synovitis Is Not Associated With Self-Reported Knee Pain in Division I Female Athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Recent research suggests a link between knee effusion-synovitis and athlete knee pain.
• This study investigates this association in elite female athletes using ultrasound.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if knee effusion-synovitis is associated with self-reported knee pain in NCAA Division I female athletes.
• To assess the impact of unilateral or bilateral effusion-synovitis on pain, daily living activities, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 53 NCAA Division I female athletes.
• Bilateral knee ultrasound to identify effusion-synovitis.
• Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Survey (KOOS) Pain subscale for pain assessment.

Main Results:

• 49.1% had no effusion-synovitis, 26.4% unilateral, 24.5% bilateral.
• No significant differences in KOOS pain, ADL, or QoL scores were found between groups.
• Detailed grading of effusion-synovitis was provided for both limbs.

Conclusions:

• Knee effusion-synovitis, regardless of laterality, was not associated with self-reported knee pain in this cohort.
• Lower grades of effusion-synovitis may not significantly contribute to knee pain in elite female athletes.
• Findings challenge existing assumptions and add nuance to understanding knee joint health in athletes.