Abstract

Objective: To evaluate if radiological grading is a good predictor of pain in knee osteoarthritis patients.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Orthopedics, Avicenna Hospital Lahore from August 2020 to February 2021. It included 185 patients with the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of knee joint who were assessed for intensity of pain using Visual Analogue Scale. Their weight bearing X Rays of knee joint in anteroposterior and lateral view were obtained. ESR and CRP estimation was done. They were assessed for Kellgren-Lawrence Scoring by the same Radiologist who was blinded to the results of Visual Analogue Scale.
Results: Out of 185 patients, 98(53%) were male and 87(47%) females. Mean age was 56.22±7.86 years. Mean pain score was 5.20±1.19. As per Kellgren and Lawrence Grading, 34 (18.4%) patients had Grade-I disease, 92(49.7%) patients had Grade-II, 47(25.4%) had Grade-III and 12(6.5%) Grade-IV. Weak positive correlation using Spearman Correlation was seen between pain score and Kellgren and Lawrence Grading (r=0.027, p=0.713).
Conclusion: Severity of pain does not correlate statistically with Kellgren Lawrence criteria for grading of osteoarthritis.

Key words: Visual Analogue Scale, radiological grading, osteoarthritis knee.