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Ann Rheum Dis 2000;59:513-520 doi:10.1136/ard.59.7.513
  • Extended report

Distribution of distal femoral osteophytes in a human skeletal population

  1. Lee Shepstonea,
  2. Juliet Rogersb,
  3. John Kirwanb,
  4. Bernard Silvermanc
  1. aSchool of Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, UK, bRheumatology Unit, Bristol University Division of Medicine, UK, cDepartment of Mathematics, University of Bristol, UK
  1. Dr L Shepstone, School of Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK Email: L.Shepstone{at}uea.ac.uk
  • Accepted 28 January 2000

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To examine objectively spatial patterns of osteophytes around the distal end of the femur and to identify distinct subgroups.

METHODS A sample of 107 human femora from a large skeletal population were selected for study. These femora included subjects with evidence of late stage osteoarthritis (that is, with eburnation present) and those with no such evidence. The location of osteophytes was recorded using a video camera and digitised computer images were extracted. Multidimensional scaling was used to identify clusters of femora based upon osteophyte location.

RESULTS A distinct subgroup of femora was identified with osteophytes present only within the intercondylar notch region. None of these subjects had any evidence of eburnation.

CONCLUSIONS This finding adds to an earlier study based on radiographs. Osteophytes located within the intercondylar notch of the femur appear to be a distinct subset, which may occur either as an early stage of knee osteoarthritis or for some independent reason.

Footnotes

  • This work comprises part of the doctoral work by Dr L Shepstone, supported by a generous studentship (K0516) from the Arthritis Research Campaign.

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