OBJECTIVETo analyze and compare the characteristics of musculoskeletal ultrasonography and X-ray of knee osteoarthritis, and to investigate the advantages of them.

METHODSAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 57 cases (66 knees) were collected from February 2015 to May 2015. Among them, there were 48 females and 9 males with an average age of (58.9 +/- 9.8) years old (ranged, 41 to 78 years old). The main symptoms included unilateral or bilateral knee pain and locked joints explicit areas of tender points. The mean course of disease was (13.6 +/- 3.0) months. The results of musculoskeletal ultrasound and X-ray examinations were analyzed.

RESULTSAccording to Kellgren-Lawrence classification of knee joint on the X-ray: the musculoskeletal ultrasound results of patients with I degree synovial hyperplasia in 9 cases, joint effusion in 20 cases, meniscal disease in 13 cases, patellar pad inflammation in 5 cases, and patellar lesion in 8 cases. The musculoskeletal ultrasound results of patients with III degree: synovial hyperplasia in 20 cases,joint effusion in 31 cases, meniscal disease in 22 cases, patellar pad inflammation in 16 cases and patellar lesion in 17 cases. The musculoskeletal ultrasound results of patients with III degree: synovial hyperplasia in 6 cases,joint effusion in 6 cases, meniscal disease in 7 cases, patellar pad inflammation in 7 cases and patellar lesion in 5 cases.

CONCLUSIONThe musculoskeletal ultrasound can detect the pathological changes of knee soft tissue sensitively, provide an accurate location of lesions,and find lesions early. The musculoskeletal ultrasound should be applicated in the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis.