The correlation between ultrasonographic findings and the Lysholm scores in knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Objective To analyze the correlation between ultrasonographic findings and Lysholm scores in knee osteoarthritis. Methods This cross-sectional observational study included 77 cases of knee osteoarthritis examined from February to December in 2015. There were 66 females and 11 males, with an average age of 57.39 (6.41) years, single or bilateral knee pain and limitation of mobility, and an average course of disease of 13.60 (3.00) months. Multiple regression equations were applied in a linear regression analysis to assess the correlation between ultrasound findings and Lysholm scores. Results The ultrasonographic findings of joint effusion, synovial hypertrophy, protrusion of the medial meniscus (MMP), and inflammation of subpatellar fat pad were significantly correlated with the Lysholm scores (all P P  > .05). Conclusion Musculoskeletal ultrasound can better detect the pathological changes of soft tissue in the knee, mainly including synovial hypertrophy, joint effusion, and MMP in comparison with those by plain radiology. After statistical analysis, it is indicated that ultrasonographic findings of synovial hypertrophy was possibly associated with joint locking, joint effusion with supporting, MMP with squatting, and inflammation of subpatellar fat pad with squatting and locking.