Osteoarthritis in knees of aged persons. Relationship between roentgenographic and clinical manifestations.

One hundred five (70%) of the knee joints of 75 elderly people showed roentgenographic changes of osteoarthritis (OA); occurrence rates for each of ten clinical manifestations ranged from 7% to 76%. Clinical manifestations were more common in knees with OA by x-ray film than in those without. Crepitus, decreased range of motion, pain, bony enlargement, and instability were simultaneously common in the roentgenographically abnormal knees and significantly less frequent in normal knees. Overall functional disability was verified in 22% of the knees with changes on x-ray film. The findings suggest a more positive and specific pattern of correlation between clinical and roentgenographic findings than has generally been believed. Nevertheless, the frequency of dissociation confirms the importance of making therapeutic decisions according to each patient's individual situation.