Article

Early degeneration of the knees might occur in patients with multiple
sclerosis secondary to balance and walking impairment and muscle weakness. The
aims of this study were to evaluate the knee joints of patients with multiple
sclerosis compared with healthy controls, using ultrasono-graphy, and to
investigate whether there is any correlation between femoral cartilage
degeneration and disease-related parameters. DESIGN: Study participants were 79
patients with multiple sclerosis and 60 healthy controls. The disease-related
parameters, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Western Ontario and McMaster
Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain
severity, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores were recorded. Femoral cartilage
and knee effusion were evaluated using ultrasonography. RESULTS: Femoral
cartilages of patients with multiple sclerosis were more degenerated than those
of healthy controls. Moreover, patients with multiple sclerosis had more effusion
in their knees than did controls. In the multiple sclerosis group there was no
correlation between cartilage degeneration grade, amount of effusion, and
VAS-pain, BBS, WOMAC and EDSS scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with multiple
sclerosis may have more rapid degeneration of the knee cartilage and increased
effusion compared with healthy controls. Ultrasonography is an effective method
to detect these changes. However, cartilage degeneration was not found to be
associated with disease-related parameters in multiple sclerosis.

Langue : ANGLAIS