Spiking of the tibial tubercles - a radiological feature of osteoarthritis?

Article Abstract:

Angle measurements of tibial spikes do not seem to be useful tools for predicting a patient's progression to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Tibial spikes are angled bony outgrowths on the shin bone while osteophytes are bony outgrowths. Doctors analyzed knee X-rays taken of 950 healthy women for joint space measurements and evidence of tibial spiking and osteophytes in relation to the patients' self-reported joint pain. There was no association between the presence of tibial spiking and joint pain. Tibial spike angle measurements correlated with overall joint health, as measured by Kellgren and Lawrence techniques. Angle measurements of the outermost but not inner spikes also correlated with joint space narrowing. There was an association between the presence of tibial spikes and osteophytes. Obese patients and those reporting joint pain tended to have lower spike angles.

Development and progression, Knee

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Cigarette smoking and risk of osteoarthritis in women in the general population: the Chingford study

Article Abstract:

Cigarette smoking does not appear to lower the risk of osteoarthritis in women. Previous studies suggested smoking has some protective effect on the development of osteoarthritis while two other studies found that smokers have greater rates of back pain. Of 1,003 women between the ages of 45 and 64, 29.6% of them were smokers at the time of the study, 16.6% of them used to smoke and 53.8% of them were non-smokers. Joints in the women's hands and knees were evaluated for incidence of osteoarthritis. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis was based on bony swelling of the joints or pain in the joints on movement. There was no significant association between smoking and risk of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, there was no association between number of cigarettes smoked or number of years smoking and risk of osteoarthritis.

Health aspects, Risk factors, Smoking

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Relation between insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations, osteoarthritis, bone density, and fractures in the general population: the Chingford study

Article Abstract:

Evidence suggests that blood levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) correlate with only some forms of osteoarthritis. IGF-1 levels, joint scans, history of serious fractures, and bone mineral density levels were compared among 761 middle-aged women with osteoarthritis and 155 healthy matched volunteers (control group). Patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis or in both knees or those with osteoarthritis between the outer finger joints had higher IGF-1 levels than the control group. There was no correlation between IGF-1 levels and other types of osteoarthritis or other measurements.

Bones, Joints, Joints (Anatomy), Measurement, Complications and side effects, Bone density, Fractures (Injuries), Insulin-like growth factor 1, Insulin-like growth factor I

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