What Is Symptomatic Osteoarthritis?
Simply put, symptomatic osteoarthritis means that the person with osteoarthritis is experiencing symptoms, such as joint pain, aching, and stiffness. The primary symptom of osteoarthritis is joint pain that worsens during activity and improves with rest. Other common symptoms include: joint instability, especially of the knees and first carpometacarpal joints; early morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes; and stiffness following periods of inactivity.
Physical examination may also detect swelling, deformities, bony enlargements or protusions such as Heberden's nodes and Bouchard's nodes, crepitus, and limited range of motion. Muscle spasms and tendon contractures are other possible clinical findings.
What Is Radiographic Osteoarthritis?
The diagnosis of radiographic primary osteoarthritis involves the following observed on x-ray: nonuniform joint space loss, osteophyte formation, cyst formation, and subchondral sclerosis.
Early x-rays may reveal minimal, nonuniform joint space narrowing. As osteoarthritis progresses, subluxations (partial dislocation of a bone) may occur, subchondral cysts may develop, and osteophytes may form. Subchondral sclerosis or subchondral bone formation occur as cartilage loss increases. In the advanced stage of the disease, x-rays may reveal a bone-on-bone situation and a collapse of the joint may occur.
What's the Significance of Symptomatic or Radiographic Osteoarthritis?
It is possible to have symptomatic osteoarthritis without radiographic osteoarthritis -- and vice versa. For example, up to 60% of people with radiographic knee osteoarthritis may not complain of pain. The lack of symptoms may correlate with the radiographic findings, meaning that less severe radiographic findings appear to be associated with less severe symptoms. However, those with radiographic knee osteoarthritis who lack frequent or intense pain may still experience weakness of their quadricep muscles and difficulty performing activities of daily living. This suggests that radiographic osteoarthritis without pain still can significantly impact joint function.
The Bottom Line
With osteoarthritis, there can be a discrepancy between symptoms and joint damage observed on x-rays. Severe symptoms do tend to be associated with advanced radiographic findings, though.
Sources:
Definitions of Osteoarthritis. Chapter 162. Expert Consult. Rheumatology. Hochberg MC et al. Accessed 5/25/2012.
Radiographic Assessment of Osteoarthritis. American Family Physician. Swagerty DL M.D. et al. July 15, 2001. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0715/p279.html
