Associations of medial collateral ligament and cartilage thickness with clinical outcomes in medial knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study
Clinical Rheumatology, cilt.45, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 45
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10067-025-07809-x
- Dergi Adı: Clinical Rheumatology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Cartilage, Knee, Medial collateral ligament, Osteoarthritis, Ultrasonography
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the thickness of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) sonographically in individuals with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis and to investigate its relationship with femoral cartilage thickness, pain, and functional status. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 21 patients diagnosed with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis radiologically (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3) and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. MCL thickness was measured using ultrasonography approximately 1 cm proximal and 1 cm distal to the medial joint line. Femoral cartilage thickness was assessed at the medial condyle, intercondylar area, and lateral condyle. Pain levels were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional status was assessed using the KOOS–PS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score–Physical Function Shortform). Results: Proximal MCL thickness was significantly greater in the osteoarthritis group compared to the control group (2.0 ± 0.3 mm vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.001); distal MCL thickness was also significantly increased (1.5 ± 0.2 mm vs. 1.2 ± 0.1 mm, p = 0.002). Femoral cartilage thickness was significantly lower in patients with osteoarthritis than in healthy controls at the medial condyle (0.21 ± 0.03 cm vs. 0.26 ± 0.02 cm, p < 0.001), intercondylar area (0.25 ± 0.03 cm vs. 0.29 ± 0.02 cm, p < 0.001), and lateral condyle (0.21 ± 0.04 cm vs. 0.25 ± 0.03 cm, p = 0.005). A weak negative correlation was found between proximal MCL thickness and both medial (rho = –0.360, p = 0.022) and intercondylar (rho = –0.373, p = 0.018) cartilage thickness. A moderate negative correlation was observed between both proximal (rho = –0.523, p = 0.001) and distal (rho = –0.587, p < 0.001) MCL thicknesses and KOOS-PS scores. Conclusion: MCL thickness increases in medial knee osteoarthritis, and this thickening is negatively associated with both cartilage thickness and functional status. These findings suggest that the degeneration process in medial knee osteoarthritis is not limited to cartilage alone; surrounding soft tissue structures such as the MCL may also be affected. Careful sonographic examination of the MCL will contribute to a more optimal evaluation of this patient group. (Table presented.)