Ultrasonographic assessment of knee joint in patients with diabetes mellitus: comparison of sonographic changes in distal femoral cartilage and tendon structures with non-diabetics patients

Z. Banu Aydın, D. Köseoğlu

Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey. zbanu1980@yahoo.com

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• Diabetes
• Radiology

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adverse effects of diabetes mellitus on the knee joint by using ultrasonography.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and two subjects with diabetes for 5 years and more were compared prospectively with 93 age and sex-matched healthy subjects. Individuals in both groups were aged between 40-55, had a body mass index below 30 kg/m2, and had no knee joint complaints. Femoral cartilage thickness, cartilage surface, quadriceps and patellar tendon thickness in both knees were assessed by ultrasonography using a 5-12 mHz linear transducer.

RESULTS: According to ultrasonographic findings, thin and irregular femoral cartilage was more common in diabetic patients than in healthy controls (p<0.05). Diabetic patients had thinner quadriceps tendons compared to the control group (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was recorded in patellar tendon thickness (right knee p=0.697, left knee p=0.639). The presence of effusion in the suprapatellar recess of the right knee was more common in diabetics than non-diabetics (p=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS: Irregularity and thinning of the distal femoral cartilage in diabetics may indicate cartilage degeneration. In addition, the decrease in the thickness of the quadriceps tendon may lead to instability and adversely affect the knee joint. These sonographic findings may indicate early knee joint degeneration, so ultrasonography may help determine the possible risk of osteoarthritis in diabetic patients.

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