Proximal tibial osteophyte volumes are correlated spatially and with knee alignment: a quantitative analysis suggesting the influence of biochemical and mechanical factors in the development of osteophytes

To characterize the differences and correlations in osteophyte volumes between and within proximal tibial compartments, and to assess the correlations between osteophyte volumes and the femorotibial angle. CT scans of 73 knees with predominantly medial femorotibial osteoarthritis (21 K/L2, 28 K/L3, 24 K/L4) were retrospectively analyzed using a new, reproducible method measuring total and subregional osteophyte volumes in the medial and lateral compartments. Non-parametric statistics was used for comparison and correlation analyses. Total osteophyte volumes were larger in the medial than in the lateral compartment for all severity groups (p