The purpose of the study is to estimate of probable predictors for the probable predictors of knee joint osteoarthritis progression in X-ray negative stage based on ultrasound examination. The sixty five patients with X-ray negative gonarthritis were selected into the study. Both X-ray and ultrasound examinations were performed for each of the patients (before the study and since one year). The authors determined degeneration of the medial meniscus and articular surfaces roughness had the most degree of sensitivity (91%), and cartilage thickness of medial joint parts (86%). The degenerative changes of the posterior cruciate ligament had the lowest sensitivity (42%), and degeneration in the lateral meniscus (47%). During the regression analysis only two quality indicator such as cartilage thickness of the medial parts, and articular surfaces brought significant contribution to the risk prediction of the osteoarthritis progression (odds ratio=22.7 and 71.4; p=0.018 and 0.002, respectively). The degeneration in the anterior cruciate ligament was not significant for the model (odds ratio= 26,3; p=0.05).

A retrospective analysis was carried out on the basis of epidemiological indicators such as prevalence and incidence for diseases of the musculo-skeletal system and osteoarthritis among residents of Arkhangelsk region and Krasnodar region. The incidence trends to increasing for diseases of bones and joints during the period of 2000-2012 years showed (in the Russian Federation for 13 years of growth was 8%, in the Arkhangelsk Region - 31%, and the Krasnodar Region- 142%). The similar results were obtained in studies for osteoarthritis (in Russia increase by 55% over 13 years for 41% of the Arkhangelsk Region, Krasnodar Region - 46%). Maximum growth indicator prevalence of diseases of the musculo-skeletal system was observed in the Krasnodar region and was 69% and in the Arkhangelsk region - 30%, in Russia on average increase was 26%. For thirteen years also marked increase in the prevalence of osteoarthritis in Russia as a whole and in the Arkhangelsk region and the Krasnodar region. Environmental and climate and geographical features of investigated regions can cause the detected differences.

Osteoarthritis is a group of different diseases with similar manifestations, which are based on the defeat of all of the joint parts (primarily of cartilage and subchondral bone, synovium, ligaments capsule) and periarticular muscles. The purpose of the study is to characterize cartilage structure and periarticular changes of tissue by means of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging without X-ray verification of osteoarthritis. Thirty eight patients with X-ray negative stage of osteoarthritis were ex-amined by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Pathological changes were detected in majority of the patients. The edema of soft tissue, exudate, changes in ligaments, deformation of joint surface were revealed in 71-74%, 11-37%, 76-68% and 58-68% of patients respectively. In general, pathological changes tended to be revealed on magnetic resonance imaging more frequently comparatively to ultrasound examination. Both ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging are comprehensive methods for early detection of knee osteoarthritis. The prognostic value of the changes is to be evaluated.