Ultrasonographic changes of the knee joint cartilage associated with physical characterization in middle-aged women: 6-Month observational survey

Abstract

Our objective was to examine the influence of leg muscle weakness and body mass index (BMI) on ultrasonography (US) of the knee joint in middle-aged women. US and measurements of leg muscle strength and BMI were performed at the beginning of the study and after 6 months. Subjects with US abnormalities at the first examination were excluded from the study. Muscle strength and BMI were compared between subjects with normal US findings at the beginning of the study and after 6 months (N) and those in whom initially normal US findings became abnormal after 6 months (A). Analysis was performed for 20 knees with a mean age of 52.9 years old. In Group N, there were no significant changes in muscle strength and BMI between the initial results and those after 6 months. Significant changes in muscle strength occurred in Group A, but there was no significant change in BMI. There were significant differences between Groups N and A in the changes after 6 months; however, there was no significant difference in the change in BMI between the two groups. We conclude that abnormal knee-joint findings in US of the knee are associated with leg muscle weakness in middle-aged women.