Knee Arthritis on X-Ray: What Grades 0 to 4 Actually Mean

Knee Arthritis on X-Ray: What Grades 0 to 4 Actually Mean . Does your knee X-ray have a grade? Radiographic grading or staging of arthritis is a tool, not a verdict. Knee osteoarthritis is staged on radiographs using the Kellgren-Lawrence scale, a system in play worldwide since 1957: Grade 0 (Normal): No osteophytes, preserved joint space. Grade 1 (Doubtful): Possible tiny osteophytes (bone spurs), no definite narrowing. Grade 2 (Mild): Definite osteophytes, possible joint space narrowing. Grade 3 (Moderate): Multiple osteophytes, definite narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, early deformity. Grade 4 (Severe): Large osteophytes, severe narrowing (often bone-on-bone), marked sclerosis, definite deformity. . Radiographs allow localization of disease to the medial, lateral, or patellofemoral compartment, assess varus or valgus alignment, and help guide #kneepain treatment options. Weight-bearing views are essential, since lying-down images can make a worn joint look better than it is. The grade doesn't reverse-engineer the pain. Some Grade 4 knees walk + hike comfortably. Some Grade 2 knees are life-limiting. Treatment is driven by symptoms, function, and goals, never the film alone. First-line care stays the same at every stage: strengthening, weight management, and activity modification, with injections and surgery added when they match the clinical picture. . UNO Bonus: invented (1971) by a barber, Merle Robbins, who sold the first decks from his shop, the name means "one" in Spanish and Italian; despite a color-matching reputation, Mattel has confirmed you cannot stack a Draw Four on a Draw Two - strictly a house rule. . SHARE your #kneearthritis (and UNO) experience & insights . 📲 SUBSCRIBE NOW for new #surgery videos 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗘, 𝗠𝗗 | Orthopedic Surgeon · Franklin/Nashville, Tennessee 🌐 corycalendinemd.com/ 📅 Free joint replacement guide: corycalendinemd.com/free-joint-replacement-guide/ 🌐 See Dr. Calendine in your Google & AI search results: corycalendinemd.com/preferred 📍 Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee · 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067 📞 (615) 791-2630 About Dr. Cory Calendine, MD - 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067 In the operating room, I get to perform more than 600 hip & knee replacement surgeries each year. From LIVE surgical demos to viral video highlights, together let's explore - react - discuss all things related to bone and joint health. #orthopedicsurgeon #jointreplacement THANK YOU for your comments, questions and suggestions. If there’s a medical topic or question you want me to discuss, please comment below. We are building a library of orthopedic medical video content focused on your requests and responses. 📽️ Watch latest hip & knee surgery videos ▶️    / @bonedoctor_youtube   𝐋𝐄𝐓'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓: TikTok ▶️ www.tiktok.com/@corycalendinemd LinkTree ▶️ linktr.ee/corycalendinemd 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and/or treatment. All content [images, digital graphics, text, and other information] contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace or substitute for a consultation with a