A novel research is to be conducted with the aim of determining whether inflammation of the knee may act as an early predictor of osteoarthritis in patients. This enlightening research is to be led by research physiotherapist Michelle Hall in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy.
Osteoarthritis is stated to be a condition which results in swelling, pain, disability and stiffness. It has been estimated that in UK, around 6 million people may be suffering from osteoarthritis in the knee. This is a condition which may also be called as the “wear and tear†state in which the cartilage wears away and thus leaves the bones rubbing together. Seemingly, now it has also been shown that inflammation in the joint lining may also be a part of this osteoarthritis procedure.
In order to better understand this criterion, around 200 patients, aging above 55, from GP practices across Nottingham are believed to be assessed in the research. Seemingly, novel ultrasound techniques are to be used to verify if this condition, which commonly takes place in 55+ people, may be traced to osteoarthritis.
Hall, says, “It has been shown that people who have inflammation may develop more severe and progressive osteoarthritis and experience greater pain and disability. The ability to detect the presence of inflammation using Ultrasound could therefore be important in terms of prognosis and selection of certain treatments.â€
Presently, osteoarthritis can be detected via x-rays. However x-ray can allegedly only show the changes taking place in the bones and degeneration of cartilage; and not the changes or inflammation to the neighboring soft tissue or joint lining. This inflammation could notably further be a sign to osteoarthritis.
The experts from this research evidently aim to determine if people experiencing pain or osteoarthritis in the knee may also be suffering from knee inflammation.