Radiographic evaluation of posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle: The Kellgren-Lawrence scale is reliable and correlates with clinical symptoms

N. Holzer*, D. Salvo, A. C A Marijnissen, K. L. Vincken, A. C. Ahmad, E. Serra, P. Hoffmeyer, R. Stern, A. Lübbeke, M. Assal

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To assess reliability and construct validity of the Kellgren-Lawrence (K&L) scale in posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis (OA); additionally evaluate the validity of including tibiotalar tilting in the scale. Method: One-hundred and fifty ankle radiographs (75 patients, unilateral malleolar fractures) evaluated at average of 18 years after surgery. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot (HF) score and pain (visual analog scale) were recorded. Grading of OA according to K&L criteria and identification of OA features was performed on standardized radiographs by four physicians. Minimal joint space width, sclerosis, and talar tilt angle were quantified by digital measurements. A modified K&L scale including talar tilting is presented. Validity of original and modified scale was evaluated and expressed as ability to (1) Identify those with clinical symptoms of ankle OA; and (2) Distinguish between different degrees of fracture severity. Results: Inter- and intra-observer reliability of OA assessment according to K&L were good (ICC 0.61 and 0.75). Original and modified K&L grades significantly increased with decreasing AOFAS ankle-HF scores and greater pain. A talar-tilt angle >2° compared with ≤2° in grade 3 was associated with significantly higher pain levels (VAS pain 4.2 vs1.4, respectively; mean difference 2.8, 95% CI 0.5-5.1). More severe fracture patterns at time of surgery were more often in patients with the highest K&L grades. Conclusions: The K&L scale is a valid and reliable radiographic grading system for assessment of ankle OA. Inclusion of the talar tilt angle might allow for better differentiation with respect to clinical outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)363-369
Number of pages7
JournalOsteoarthritis and Cartilage
Volume23
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2015

Keywords

  • Ankle
  • Kellgren and Lawrence
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Radiography
  • Reliability
  • Validity

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