Abstract

Background: Knee joint, the largest and most complicated joint is the major weight bearing joint in the human body. It is prone to undergo degenerative changes with advancing age leading to Osteoarthritis. The Knee joint space width (JSW) measurements between the femoral and tibial condyles is an indirect way of measuring femoro-tibial cartilage thickness which is valuable in assessing knee cartilage pathologies. Aim: - The present study was aimed to determine the mean values of knee joint space width. Material and methods: - The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, Govt Medical College , Srinagar in collaboration within department of Radiodiagnosis GMC Srinagar. Normal plain radiographs of bilateral knees-AP view of males and females between the age group of 20-50 years were used for the study. A total of 200 X-rays (100male and 100 female) were included in the study. Results: The mean RMS and RLS in females in the age group of 21-30 years was 4.3 ± 0.4 mm and 4.5 ± 0.3 respectively and in the same age group the LMS and LLS were found to be 4.1 ± 0.2 mm and 4.2± 0.6 respectively. Similarly, the mean RMS and RLS in females in the age group of 31-40 years was 4.8± 0.5mm and 5.0± 0.6 mm respectively and in the same age group the LMS and LLS were found to be 4.2 ± 0.3 mm and 4.4± 0.8 respectively. Likewise, the mean RMS and RLS in females in the age group of 41-50 years was 4.7 ± 0.4 mm and 4.9 ± 0.3 respectively and in the same age group the LMS and LLS were found to be 4.0 ± 0.4mm and 4.3± 0.7 respectively. The mean RMS and RLS in males in the age group of 21-30 years was 4.4 ± 0.3mm and 4.6 ± 0.3 respectively and in the same age group the LMS and LLS were found to be 4.2 ± 0.3 mm and 4.3± 0.7 respectively. Similarly, the mean RMS and RLS in males in the age group of 31-40 years was 4.7± 0.5 mm and 4.9± 0.3 mm respectively and in the same age group the LMS and LLS were found to be 4.3 ± 0.6 mm and 4.4± 0.5 respectively. Likewise, the mean RMS and RLS in females in the age group of 41-50 years was 4.6 ± 0.3 mm and 4.7 ± 0.4 respectively and in the same age group the LMS and LLS were found to be 4.1 ± 0.9 mm and 4.2± 0.7mm respectively.Conclusion: The results calculated provides important information regarding gender and side variations of knee joint space width for orthopaedicians and radiologists. It will help Orthopaedicians in diagnosing and treating various clinical conditions like Osteoarthritis, which is commonest in knee joints.

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