ABTRACT
Objective: To describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee in Hai Phong in 2024.
Method: A prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 84 patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee. Data were collected through interviews, clinical examinations, and review of laboratory test results in patients' medical records. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.
Results: Patients over 60 years old accounted for the highest proportion (66.7%). Functional symptoms in 112 joints included: 100% had joint pain (severe level accounted for 52.7%), limited mobility (77.0%), joint stiffness (75.9%), and joint crepitus (54.5%). X-ray images of lesions according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification of the 112 knee joints were mainly stage 2, accounting for 58.0%; osteophytes accounted for the highest proportion (90.2%). Ultrasound images of 65 knee joints showed a variety of lesions, including: osteophytes (100.0%), joint effusion (96.9%), synovial membrane proliferation (53.8%), and popliteal cysts (20.0%).
Conclusion: Knee X-rays are the first-line method for diagnosing primary osteoarthritis of the knee in patients over 60 years old. Ultrasound is a valuable supplementary tool for detecting soft tissue damage in joints with progressive inflammation, enabling comprehensive assessment and timely treatment guidance.