Dearborn, MI
A 36-year-old male asked:
Xray: r.knee: small joint effusion. mild medial n patellofemoral compartment degenerative changes with mild subchondral sclerosis. left knee: same thing like above and mild joint space narrowing. can you please explain these findings thank you?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Matt Wachsmananswered
Internal Medicine 37 years experience
Some help: There is normally cartilage between the bones in the knee. If it is gone (mild joint space narrowing) in whole or part, the bones grind on each other and there is inflammation making fluid come into the joint (small joint effusion), and the bones show scar (mild subchondral sclerosis).
It's not good.
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Steve Moraanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 26 years experience
Djd: Those findings are c/w degenerative joint disease,ie your knee has some wear on the ant and medial sides. As the cartilage wears down the joint space gets narrowed. the bone directly under the space thickens (sclerosis) in response to increased load. Inflammation leads to swelling (effusion). These are early signs of degenerative joint disease. You're on young side to have arthritis.
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Michael Gaboranswered
Diagnostic Radiology 34 years experience
It sounds: like mild degenerative arthritis/osteoarthritis.
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 25, 2019
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