Knee X-ray - Understanding the signs of Arthritis

Reading an X-ray of an Arthritic Knee

To understand the changes in an arthritic knee, first it helps to be familiar with what a normal knee looks like. Read this article first to increase your understanding of what is "normal".

There are three x-ray views commonly used in the radiological assessment of the knee. This article will discuss the changes visible on each of the different views and provide an example of each.

X-rays give us clear pictures of the bones only. We can however, learn about the health of other structures by observing the relationship between the bone. In this way we can comment on the smooth articular cartilage that covers our joints but is not visible on x ray.

X-ray of Knee Arthritis

The Knee X-ray - Viewed from straight in front

This x-ray clearly shows arthritis in the knee.

Bones appear white on an x ray as they stop the x ray beam. Anything that lets the beam through (air, cartilage, skin) shows up as black.

Our joints are covered with a layer of super-smooth cartilage that allows the joints to move without causing pain. This cartilage does not show up on x-ray so the bones should appear as though they are not touching.

Anywhere that sees the bones closer together than usual implies that the cartilage has been worn down - this is a sign of arthritis. If the bones appear to be touching, it signifies severe arthritis as all of the smooth covering has been worn away.

In this x-ray, the inside of the knee - seen here on the right half of the x ray - has moderate to severe arthritis. The gap is easily seen as a black line on the left side of the knee, but on the right the bones appear to be touching and only a thin line defines the border between the two bones. This would be called Medial Compartment Osteoarthritis.

Other signs of arthritis included joint line sclerosis. This is when the body responds to the damage being caused by laying down extra bone at the joint line.This hard bone appears as a thin extra-white line on the joint margins.

Lateral View Knee Xray

 This is looking at the knee from the side. Here we are looking mainly at the joint between the kneecap and the thigh bone. Again there should be a gap signifying the articular cartilage.

In this x ray you can barely see a space between the patella and the femur. The view gets progressively worse towards the right.

These views make it easy to notice another feature of osteoarthritis. Osteophytes are small bony spurs that form around the joint line when arthritis is present. they can be seen here in both the main knee joint and between the patella and femur. They make the joint appear "messy"

Skyline view x-ray with arthritis

 In this view, looking at the gap between the kneecap and thigh from above, we are looking for a nice even gap.

Again it is easy to see the difference between the left, where the gap is large, and the right, where the bones are nearly touching.

This x-ray shows moderate patellofemoral osteoarthritis. There is a small amount of sclerosis to go with the joint space narrowing but little evidence of osteophytes.

Featured Book

Knowledge is Power

 Understanding some of the basic points about knee arthritis can help you ask the right questions in the limited time your have with your doctor.

The more you understand about this condition, the more in control you will feel when dealing with your osteoarthritis of the knee.

Your  doctor should explain some of these points to you but it never hurts to have a head start.

More on Knee Arthritis

• High Tibial Osteotomy
  For information on High Tibial Osteotomy, a common precursor to total knee replacement.
• The Normal Knee X-Ray, What are its features?
  In order to understand problems we first have to know what is normal. Many people return from their doctors with x-rays of their knees after being told they have arthritis. Most find it very difficult to...
• The Arthritic Knee
  Continually updated information on osteoarthritis of the knee. Advice on treatment option - both surgical and non-surgical.
• Osteoarthritis Symptoms
  Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects almost 40 million Americans. This article lists the common symptoms of osteoarthritis.
• Arthritis Knee Braces
  Arthritis Knee Braces - Helping you Choose the Best Brace
• Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis - What are "Compartmen...
  Everyone suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee eventually ends up consulting a doctor. It may take years, but such is the nature of this degenerative joint disease that it wears you down.
• Off-loading braces for Unicompartmental Knee Arthrit...
  Offloading braces are a relatively new innovation in arthritis treatment. Although not for everyone, they have significant benefits for the right person.
• DonJoy Knee Braces, Aircast Ankle Braces, Knee Brace Experts for Sport Injuries
  Donjoy Osteoarthritis knee braces available in Australia

Comments

Dave on May 28, 2012:

Justbhad an X-ray on both knees and have to wait 10days for results , why?? I find it really painful to stand from sitting and cannot bend my knees easily, walking is constant pain, I have taken painkillers for about 3 years now , so I hope after this set of X-rays something will be done.

Zezo Ahmad on April 12, 2012:

My mother has this I feel bad she complains 24/7 I feel really bad what should I do

sudhan45 on October 06, 2009:

Thanks for sharing the information