Ultrasound detection of knee joint degeneration in patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: Early degeneration of the knees might occur in pa tients with multiple sclerosis secondary to balance and walk ing impairment and muscle weakness. The aims of this study were to evaluate the knee joints of patients with multiple sclerosis compared with healthy controls, using ultrasono graphy, and to investigate whether there is any correlation between femoral cartilage degeneration and diseaserelated parameters. Design: Study participants were 79 patients with multiple sclerosis and 60 healthy controls. The diseaserelated pa rameters, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), West ern Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteo arthritis index, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain severity, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores were recorded. Femo ral cartilage and knee effusion were evaluated using ultra sonography. Results: Femoral cartilages of patients with multiple sclero sis were more degenerated than those of healthy controls. Moreover, patients with multiple sclerosis had more effu sion in their knees than did controls. In the multiple sclerosis group there was no correlation between cartilage degenera tion grade, amount of effusion, and VASpain, BBS, WOM AC and EDSS scores. Conclusion: Patients with multiple sclerosis may have more rapid degeneration of the knee cartilage and increased effu sion compared with healthy controls. Ultrasonography is an effective method to detect these changes. However, cartilage degeneration was not found to be associated with disease related parameters in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis and Clinical Gait Analysis before and after Fampridine: A Systematic Review

“…Moreover, at long term, gait disorders are not exclusively related to motor neurological disorders caused by demyelination [31]. Patients with MS are more prone to osteoarthritis [31] and there is a clear interaction between cognitive and gait disorders [32,33]. Certain studies attempted to find correlations with the EDSS [21,30] but this is also difficult because the EDSS score reflects both dimensions (evaluation and progression).…”

“…This made analysis difficult as it was difficult to distin- guish between the effect of disease progression, the impact of others factors than demyelination and that of decreased treatment efficacy. Moreover, at long term, gait disorders are not exclusively related to motor neurological disorders caused by demyelination [31]. Patients with MS are more prone to osteoarthritis [31] and there is a clear interaction between cognitive and gait disorders [32,33].…”

Postoperative Outcomes Following Posterior Lumbar Fusion in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

“…[8][9][10] Due to more effective therapies for neuromuscular disorders, people with MS are living longer and commonly experiencing conditions related to advanced age, including spondylotic conditions. 11,12 It is estimated that one third of people aged 40-59 have moderate to severe degenerative spine disease and the risk of spinal osteoarthritis is increased 4-fold in people aged 60-69. 4,13 In addition, it has been shown that MS pathology itself contributes to increased rates of degenerative knee disease.…”

“…4,13 In addition, it has been shown that MS pathology itself contributes to increased rates of degenerative knee disease. 12 There have been several orthopedic studies analyzing postoperative complications of patients with neuromuscular conditions undergoing total hip arthroplasty. 12,[14][15][16][17] These studies demonstrated that patients with MS are at increased risk for postoperative complications, postoperative infections, and other medical complications.…”

“…12 There have been several orthopedic studies analyzing postoperative complications of patients with neuromuscular conditions undergoing total hip arthroplasty. 12,[14][15][16][17] These studies demonstrated that patients with MS are at increased risk for postoperative complications, postoperative infections, and other medical complications. However, there is a paucity of literature concerning spine surgery outcomes in patients with MS.…”