Optimum Radiographic Assessment of the Knee

NCT ID: NCT03685019

Last Updated: 2025-09-09

Study Results

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

8 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-10-05

Study Completion Date

2017-09-01

Brief Summary

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X-rays are the most frequently used imaging test when evaluating the knee for joint replacement. They are non-invasive, safe and cost effective. They allow assessment of: progression of disease, appropriateness for joint replacement, in particular unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR), as well as likely prognosis following replacement. Despite a multitude of standardised views there is a lack of consensus regarding the optimum views to evaluate joint space narrowing within each compartment (lateral, medial and patellofemoral).

This study will evaluate the status of knee cartilage in 225 patients with varying degrees, and patterns, of knee osteoarthritis (OA) using standing extension anteroposterior, 15 degrees flexion posteroanterior, 45 degrees flexion posteroanterior and valgus and varus stress views as well as MRI. These results will be compared to the gold standard imaging technique of stress views as well as to direct measurements of retrieved tissue in those patients who undergo knee replacement surgery. The sensitivity and specificity of each of the imaging techniques at predicting suitability for UKR will be calculated, the optimum imaging views proposed, and ultimately the results of this study will be used to develop a decision aid, based on optimum views, to help clinicians decide between likelihood of a patient being a candidate for UKR based on pre-operative X-ray findings.

Detailed Description

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The optimum imaging protocol is one that is acceptable to patients, involves the fewest X-rays to obtain the most clinically relevant information and one that utilizes the least resources in terms of staff and equipment. Currently standard assessment involves: standing anteroposterior, lateral and skyline views. In addition in patients being considered for joint replacement valgus/varus stress X-rays are used to evaluate the lateral compartment (as well as medial collateral ligament) and medial compartment respectively to assess the status of the cartilage. In patients with loss of cartilage on one side, typically medial, but preserved cartilage on the other a UKR, as opposed to total knee replacement (TKR), may be indicated.

Currently there is a lack of consensus amongst orthopaedic surgeons as to the best way to image the knee joint to establish degree and pattern of arthritis. For a long time it has been known that weight bearing views are a better method at establishing the true joint space compared to non-weight bearing views width due to the increased forces across the joint. In addition it is known that full extension views, despite being the most commonly used view, may also underestimate joint space narrowing as in full extension the femur and tibia articulate across an area of the joint that is not typically not involved during activity, and hence can have relatively well preserved cartilage, giving a false impression of the joints disease state. These findings have been adopted, and continue to be adopted, into routine clinical practice and there continues to be an increase in the proportion of surgeons performing standing and semi-flexed views. However the best method of evaluating the disease state in each compartment has yet to be defined.

When deciding between UKR and TKR the detection of the degree and pattern of arthritis is of critical importance. UKR are known to perform poorly in partial thickness disease and require full thickness cartilage in the retained tibiofemoral compartment. To establish whether a patient meets the indications for UKR X-rays are used with stress views being the gold standard, as well as the standard assessment that the studies of long term outcomes on UKR are based. Gibson and Goodfellow, who were first to describe stress X-rays in the workup of a patient for UKR, reported that those patients with a joint space width of more than 5mm in the lateral compartment had intact lateral cartilage during surgery making them appropriate for UKR. More recently Waldstein et al. reported that patients with a lateral joint space width of more than 4mm may be appropriate for UKR however overall they noted poor correlation between joint space width measured on valgus stress views and intra-operative Outerbridge grade.

In addition to the low quantity of evidence regarding the relationship between stress views and intra-operative status of the joint the feasibility of performing stress X-rays also limits their use. Stress X-rays are resource dependent, can be uncomfortable for patients and require an additional practitioner. As such they are often not performed with many clinicians adopting alternative X-ray views, MRI or direct observation via arthroscopy. It has been proposed that standing views with the knee in 15 degrees then 45 degrees flexion may load the medial and lateral compartments respectively and that these views may be an alternative to stress views without the requirement for an additional practitioner. However the outcomes based on these forms of assessment, and the relationship between the joint space width measured using these contemporary techniques has not been reported. An alternative would include a stress device that allows a stress X-ray to be performed without the requirement of the clinician.

This study will evaluate the status of knee cartilage in 225 patients with varying degrees, and patterns, of knee OA using standing extension anteroposterior, 15 degrees flexion posteroanterior, 45 degrees flexion posteroanterior and valgus and varus stress views as well as MRI. These results will be compared to the gold standard imaging technique of stress views as well as to direct measurements of retrieved tissue in those patients who undergo knee replacement surgery. The sensitivity and specificity of each of the imaging techniques at predicting suitability for UKR will be calculated, the optimum imaging views proposed, and ultimately the results of this study will be used to develop a decision aid, based on optimum views, to help clinicians decide between likelihood of a patient being a candidate for UKR based on pre-operative X-ray and MRI findings.

Conditions

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Osteoarthritis, Knee

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

SEQUENTIAL

Each of the interventions was planned to be applied in sequence.
Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Valgus stress - lateral compartment

Valgus stress radiograph. Joint space width measured in lateral compartment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Valgus Stress

Intervention Type RADIATION

Valgus stress radiograph

Varus stress - medial compartment

Varus stress radiograph. Joint space width measured in medial compartment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Varus stress

Intervention Type RADIATION

Varus stress radiograph

0 degree flexion - medial compartment

0 degree flexion radiograph. Joint space width measured in medial compartment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

0 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

0 degree flexion radiograph

0 degree flexion - lateral compartment

0 degree flexion radiograph. Joint space width measured in medial compartment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

0 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

0 degree flexion radiograph

20 degree flexion - medial compartment

20 degree flexion radiograph. Joint space width measured in medial compartment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

20 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

20 degree flexion radiograph

20 degree flexion - lateral compartment

20 degree flexion radiograph. Joint space width measured in lateral compartment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

20 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

20 degree flexion radiograph

45 degree flexion - medial compartment

45 degree flexion radiograph. Joint space width measured in medial compartment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

45 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

45 degree flexion radiograph

45 degree flexion - lateral compartment

45 degree flexion radiograph. Joint space width measured in lateral compartment.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

45 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

45 degree flexion radiograph

Interventions

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Valgus Stress

Valgus stress radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

Varus stress

Varus stress radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

0 degree flexion radiograph

0 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

20 degree flexion radiograph

20 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

45 degree flexion radiograph

45 degree flexion radiograph

Intervention Type RADIATION

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Knee osteoarthritis any grade, affecting the tibio-femoral joint
* Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
* Male or Female, aged 50 years or above.
* In the Investigator's opinion, is able and willing to comply with all trial requirements.
* Willing to allow his or her General Practitioner and consultant, if appropriate, to be notified of participation in the trial.

Exclusion Criteria

* Previous joint replacement on ipsilateral knee
* Previous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction or injury
* Previous high tibial osteotomy
* Previous intraarticular fracture
* History of Inflammatory arthritis
* Unable to stand with assistance for two minutes
Minimum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Oxford

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Thomas Hamilton

Primary investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Related Links

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https://www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/research-groups/oxford-orthopaedic-engineering-centre

Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford

Other Identifiers

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256

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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