Patterns of presentation of knee osteoarthritis at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
Abstract
Background: Symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee is a very common problem. Osteoarthritis
of the knee leads to loss of range of motion and leads to pain which leads to restriction of
activity. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee are more likely to seek medical care as patients
without arthritis.
Objective: To assess the pattern of presentation of osteoarthritis of the knee in the African
population presenting to the orthopaedic outpatient clinic at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.
Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Orthopaedic out-patient clinic.
Patients and methods: Patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who consented to be
included in the study as well as meet the inclusion criteria were recruited. Participants were
assessed using a standard questionnaire involving demographical data, the Oxford Knee Scoring
system and clinical examination data. The duration of the study was three months during which
time 164 patients were recruited out of a patient population of 1,200 who visited the orthopaedic
clinic within the same period.
Results 164 patients were recruited with 132 female and 32 male. Mean age of the patients was
60.2 years with an average BMI of 30.7. Most patients were farmers or housewives (68.2%) and
the mean oxford knee score was 19. There was an average flexion loss of 18on the right and
21.8on the left with an extension lag of 1.8on the right and 2.1on the left.
Discussion This study shows that the local presentation and pattern of knee osteoarthritis
conforms well to studies done elsewhere.
Citation
Mohamed Arif Baradia (2013). Patterns of presentation of knee osteoarthritis at the Kenyatta National Hospital. A dissertation submitted in part fulfillment for the degree of Masters of Medicine in Orthopaedic surgery at the University of Nairobi.Publisher
University of Nairobi School of Medicine