The surprising cause of X -rays can push arthritis patients towards surgery

Routine It is not recommended To diagnose the condition. Instead, GPS (GPS) can make a diagnosis based on symptoms and medical history.

However, nearly half of the new patients with osteoporosis in the knee who visit GP in Australia It is referred For photography. Because of osteoporosis Costs Health system 104.7 million dollars every year.

our New study The use of X-rays to diagnose osteoporosis in the knee can affect how a person thinks about knee pain-and it can lead them to think of unnecessary knee replacement surgery.

What happens when you get osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis arises from joint changes and joint work additionally to fix itself. It affects the entire joint, including bones, cartilage, ligaments and muscles.

It is the most common in the elderly, high -weight people and those who have a history of knee injury.

Many people with osteoporosis in the knee suffer from persistent pain and face difficulties in daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs.

How is it dealt with?

In 2021-22, more than 53,000 Australians I underwent knee replacement surgery For arthritis.

Hospital services for arthritis, driven primarily with joint replacement surgery, Assign $ 3.7 billion in 2020-21.

While joint replacement surgery is often seen as an inevitable matter for osteochopolis, it is You should only be taken into account For those who have severe symptoms who have already tried appropriate non -surgical treatments. Surgery carries a serious risk Negative eventsLike a blood clot or infection, and not everyone recovers completely.

Most people with osteoporosis can be for the knee His administration effectively with:

• Education and self -management
• Exercise and physical activity
• Weight management (if necessary)
• Pain relief medications (such as paracetamol and non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs).

Exposing a common wrong idea

A A joint wrong belief It is that osteoporosis is caused by “weariness”.

but, Research shows The extent of structural changes that appear in the joint does not reflect the level of pain or disability that a person suffers from, and does not predict how symptoms change.

Some people who suffer from minimal changes in the joints have very bad symptoms, while others with more changes in the joint have no mild symptoms. That is why routine X -rays It is not recommended To diagnose osteoporosis in the knee or direct treatment decisions.

Instead, the instructions recommend a “clinical diagnosis” based on a person’s age (45 years or more) symptomsYou suffer from joint pain with activity, and in the morning, there is no common occurrence or hardening that lasts less than 30 minutes.

Nevertheless, many health professionals in Australia Continue using X -rays to diagnose osteoporosis in the knee. And many people suffer from osteoporosis I still expect or want them.

What did our study searched?

our Ticket It aims to know if the use of X -rays to diagnose osteoporosis in the knee affects a person’s beliefs about osteoporosis management, compared to a clinical diagnosis without X -rays.

We hired 617 people from all over Australia and set them randomly to watch one of the three videos. Each video showed a virtual consultation with a general practitioner about knee pain.

A group received a clinical diagnosis of knee arthritis based on age and symptoms, without sending X -rays.

The other two groups had X -rays to determine their diagnosis (the doctor showed one set of x -rays, not the other).

After watching the appointed video, the participants completed a survey about their beliefs about osteoporosis management.

What did we find?

People who received an X -ray diagnosis and showed that their X -ray pictures had a 36 % higher need for knee replacement surgery from those who received a clinical diagnosis (without x -rays).

They also believed that exercise and physical activity might be more harmful to their joint, and they were more worried about exacerbating their condition, and they were more fearful of movement.

Interestingly, people were slightly more satisfied with an X -ray diagnosis of clinical diagnosis.

This wrong belief may reflect that osteoporosis is caused by “tear” and the assumption that “damage” inside the joint should be seen Treatment.

What does this mean for people with osteoporosis?

The results we find show the reason for the importance of avoiding unnecessary X -rays when diagnosing osteoporosis in the knee.

While changing clinical practice may be difficult, reducing unnecessary X -rays can help relieve patient anxiety, prevent unnecessary anxiety about joint damage, and reduce demand for expensive joint replacement surgery that is likely to be necessary.

It can also help reduce exposure to medical radiation and Low healthcare costs.

former Search in osteoporosisBesides behind and shoulder Pain shows like that when healthy professionals focus on joint “tear”, it can make patients more anxious about their condition and worry about destroying their joints.

If you have osteoporosis in the knee, know that routine X -rays are not necessary for diagnosis or to determine your best treatment. Getting X -rays can make you more anxious and open surgery. But there is a set of non -surgical options that can reduce pain, improve the ability to move and be less invasive.

Written by:

• Belinda Lovord
  A great research colleague in physical therapy, University of Melbourne
• Kim Benell
  Physiotherapy Professor, University of Melbourne
• Rana Hinmann
  Professor of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne
• Travis existence
  Post -PhD, Melbourne University, University of Melbourne