Open AccessDigital radiographic measurement of normal knee joint space in adults at Kano, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Anas Ismail,
Tabari Abdulkdir Musa,
Kabiru Isyaku,
Abdulkadir Adekunle Yisau,
Idris Sulaiman Kazaure,
Suwaid Muhammad Abba,
Saleh Muhammad Kabir
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the egyptian journal of radiology and nuclear medicine /the egyptian journal of radiology and nuclear medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.19
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 2090-4762
pISSN - 0378-603X
DOI - 10.1016/j.ejrnm.2013.03.005
Subject(s) - medicine , calipers , radiography , knee joint , osteoarthritis , tibia , femur , cartilage , orthodontics , anatomy , nuclear medicine , radiology , surgery , pathology , mathematics , geometry , alternative medicine
ObjectiveThe measurement of knee joint space width (JSW), between the distal femur and the proximal tibia is an indirect way of measuring the tibio-femoral cartilage thickness, which is considered a valuable parameter, in assessing knee cartilage disease. This study is aimed at establishing normal references of JSW for use in diagnosis and follow up of knee cartilage diseases.MethodsThis prospective study was conducted on 30° fixed-flexion erect knee computed radiographs of 160 adults. The JSW of both medial and lateral compartments of each knee was measured using in-built electronic calipers.ResultsThe mean right medial and lateral JSW measured 4.74mm±0.75 and 5.63mm±0.86, respectively. The mean left medial and lateral JSW measured 4.74mm±0.76 and 5.66mm±0.87. No statistically significant difference was found between right and left knee JSW compartments.DiscussionsThe radiographic reference values of the knee JSW were obtained, showing no significant gender variation in knee JSW. However, there is a decrease in JSW with increasing age