Subchondral bone normalization after knee joint distraction treatment as measured with CT

Abstract

Purpose: In addition to cartilage degeneration, knee osteoarthritis (OA) is known to cause significant bone changes. These changes include thickening of the cortical bone and a decrease in subchondral bone density, as well as a change in overall bone shape as a result of widening and flattening of the femoral and tibial condyles and formation of osteophytes. Knee joint distraction (KJD) is a joint-preserving surgical treatment for younger (<65 years) knee OA patients that has been shown to reverse OA cartilage degradation, as radiographs and MRIs have shown significant sustainable cartilage regeneration.