Quantitative CT Study on the Relationship Between Knee Osteoarthritis Joint Status and WOMAC Score Levels

doi:10.16048/j.issn.2095-5561.2025.02.14

Abstract：Objective To explore the quantitative CT study on the relationship between knee osteoarthritis (KOA) joint status and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score levels. Methods A total of 105 patients with knee osteoarthritis (210 knee joints) who underwent plain CT scans of the knee joint at the 960th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army Logistics Support Force from January to September 2023 were collected. There were 40 males and 65 females, with a mean age of (61.32 ± 9.22) years (range 46–77 years). All patients underwent plain CT scans for knee joint status assessment and were scored using the WOMAC method. The WOMAC scores were compared in terms of the presence or absence of subchondral cysts, varus or valgus deformities, and bone density levels in four layers (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mm below the lowest point of the tibial plateau cartilage in both knees. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of WOMAC scores between knees with and without cysts (P < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference in the distribution of WOMAC scores between knees with and without varus/valgus deformities (P < 0.05). In the 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mm layers below the lowest point of the lateral tibial plateau cartilage, the bone density of the knee with a higher WOMAC score was significantly higher than that of the knee with a lower WOMAC score (P < 0.05). In the medial tibial plateau, in the 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mm layers below the lowest point of the cartilage, the bone density of the knee with a higher WOMAC score was significantly lower than that of the knee with a lower WOMAC score (P < 0.05). Conclusion The WOMAC score is related to the joint status of knee osteoarthritis.