What are the clinical implications of knee crepitus to individuals with knee osteoarthritis? An observational study with data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Author(s)

Pazzinatto, Marcella Ferraz ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva, Danilo de Oliveira ^{[1, 2]} ; Faria, Nathalie Clara ^[2] ; Simic, Milena ^[3] ; Ferreira, Paulo Henrique ^[3] ; de Azevedo, Fabio Micolis ^[2] ; Pappas, Evangelos ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] La Trobe Univ, La Trobe Sports & Exercise Med Res Ctr LASEM, Sch Allied Hlth, Bundoora, Vic - Australia

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho UN, Sch Sci & Technol, Phys Therapy Dept, Presidente Prudente, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sydney, Fac Hlth Sci, Discipline Physiotherapy, Sydney, NSW - Australia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY; v. 23, n. 6, p. 491-496, NOV-DEC 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background: Crepitus is a common clinical feature of knee osteoarthritis. However, the importance of crepitus in the overall clinical presentation of individuals with knee osteoarthritis is unknown. Objective(s): (A) To compare function, pain and quality of life between individuals with knee osteoarthritis with and without crepitus; (B) to compare whether individuals with knee osteoarthritis in both knees, but crepitus in just one, differ in terms of function pain, and knee strength. Methods:: Setting: Observational study. Participants: (A) A total of 584 participants with crepitus who had the same Kellgren-Lawrence grade on both knees were matched for gender, body mass index and Kellgren-Lawrence grade to participants without crepitus on both knees. (B) 361 participants with crepitus in only one knee and with the same Kellgren-Lawrence grade classification on both knees were included. Main outcome measure(s): A - Self-reported function, pain, quality of life, 20-m walk test and chair-stand test. B - Knee extensor and flexor strength, self-reported function and pain. Results: A - Individuals with crepitus had lower self-reported function, quality of life and higher pain compared to those without crepitus (3-11%; small effect = 0.17-0.41, respectively). No difference was found in objective function between groups. B - Self-reported function was lower in the limb with crepitus compared to the limb without crepitus (15%; trivial effect = 0.09). No difference was found in pain and knee strength between-groups. Conclusion(s): Individuals with knee osteoarthritis and knee crepitus have slightly lower self-reported physical function and knee-related quality of life (small or trivial effect). However, the presence of knee crepitus is not associated with objective function or knee strength. (C) 2018 Associacao Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pos-Graduacao em Fisioterapia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/11534-1 - INFLUENCE OF PAIN IN THE ANALYSIS OF PROXIMAL, LOCAL AND DISTAL KINEMATIC PARAMETERS IN FEMALES WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN DURING STAIR ASCENT AND DESCENT
• Grantee: Danilo de Oliveira Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/10631-3 - Does it matter that my knee clicks? a longitudinal study of functional decline based on the presence of CREPITUS: data from the osteoarthritis initiative
• Grantee: Marcella Ferraz Pazzinatto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree