This site is intended for healthcare professionals

CPD
CPD
Pro
Pro
Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Radiology in osteoarthritis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Characteristic changes of OA are:

  • joint space narrowing - focal cartilage loss
  • subchondral sclerosis - increased trabecular thickness
  • bone cysts
  • osteophytes about the joint margins - central, marginal, periosteal
  • osteochondral "loose" bodies - islands of chondral metaplasia that have ossified

In the initial stages of OA, the first three features are restricted to the load-bearing part of the osteoarthritic joint. In more advanced disease all five features are present on non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing parts of the joint.

X-rays are not recommended for routine use unless the diagnosis is in doubt.

Reference:

  1. Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline (October 2022)

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.