High prevalence of contralateral ankle abnormalities in association with knee osteoarthritis and malalignment

Summary Objective To evaluate ankle joint abnormalities in a knee osteoarthritis (OA) cohort. Methods Participants ( n = 159) with symptomatic and radiographic OA in at least one knee underwent technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate bone scan (scored 0–3) of the ankles and forefeet. Knee radiographs were graded for OA features of joint space narrowing (JSN) and osteophyte (OST). Ankle symptoms and history of ankle injury were assessed by self-report. Knee alignment was measured from a long-limb radiograph. Ankle radiographs were obtained on those who returned for follow-up ( n = 138) and were graded for ankle tibiotalar JSN and OST. Design Ankle scintigraphic abnormalities were frequent (31% of individuals, one-third bilateral). Ankle symptoms were reported by 23% of individuals and history of ankle injury by 24%. Controlling for gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and contralateral predictor, ankle scintigraphic abnormalities were associated with: ipsilateral ankle symptoms ( P = 0.005); contralateral knee JSN ( P = 0.001), knee OST ( P = 0.006) and knee malalignment ( P = 0.08); and history of ankle injury or surgery of either ankle ( P