Measurement of knee cartilage thickness in young adults by musculoskeletal ultrasound in relation to serum vitamin D level

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease involving the cartilage and many of it's surrounding tissues. In addition to damage and loss of articular cartilage, there is remodeling of subarticular bone, osteophyte formation, ligamentous laxity, weakening of periarticular muscles and in some cases, synovial inflammation.Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSUS) is a newer imaging technique in musculoskeletal system for diagnosis and monitoring of treatment. A potential association between serum vitamin D levels and knee OA symptoms may occur through effect on cartilage metabolism, bone metabolism or both. Aim of the Work: This study was done tomeasure of knee cartilage thickness in young adults by musculoskeletal ultrasound in relation to serum 25(OH) vitamin D level. Patients and Methods: This study was carried on 75 individuals chosen from out-patient's clinics of physical medicine and rheumatology department at AL-Hussein hospitals of AL-Azhar University after their agreement to inform a consent for this research. They are divided into 2 groups: Group (1) includes 50 patients suffering of knee pain, their age ranged from 20-35 years with a mean of 29.5± 4.4, 43 females and 7 males. Group (2) includes 25 apparent healthy volunteers matched for age and sex as group 1. Results: Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography is a very important tool in detection of early OA in patients with vitamin D deficiency and Comparison between MRI and musculoskeletal ultrasound showed high concordance in the findings of cartilage changes of early OA patients. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is correlated with thinning of femoral cartilage thickness and higher risk of early knee OA.