Tibial Osteophytes as Indicator of Osteoarthritis: Morphometry and Clinical Importance

ABSTRACT

Background: An osteophyte is a bony outgrowth, covered with fibrocartilage,that is one of the hallmarks of osteoarthritisespecially in the knee joint. Risk factors for development of osteophytes include age, physical activity, body mass index, and othergenetic and environmental factors. Aim: To analyze the frequency and morphological features of osteophytes at the upper end ofdry tibia bones and to define any relationship between the size of osteophytes and that of the intercondylar tibial spines.Methods: We evaluated 75 dry tibia bones for the degree of osteoarthritis at the upper end. Each plateau at the superior surface ofthe upper end was divided into four quadrants and the presence and size of bone outgrowths were recorded in each quadrant. The“medial/lateral tibial intercondylar spine index” for each specimen was calculated and relation with the osteophytes was observed.The measurements were meticulously recorded and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: In the present study,osteophytes were found more frequently in the anterior quadrants of both the tibial plateaus than in the posterior quadrants. Grade1 osteophytes were the most common type of osteophytes with predominance in anterior quadrants of both medial and lateraltibial plateaus. There was positive correlation between grades of osteophytes and spine index. Conclusion: This study would helpclinicians to understand the morphological changes in the upper end of tibia in osteoarthritis which would help them in planningthe management.