About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive musculoskeletal disease that affects over 240 million people worldwide with the hip and knee joints most often involved due to their weight-bearing roles. This disease is characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and bone remodeling which can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Digital radiography (DR) is the primary imaging modality for patients with OA due to its accessibility, low cost, and ability to reveal key features such as joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and osteophyte formation. Digital radiography is also used to stage OA, monitor disease progression, and guide treatment planning. Radiologic technologists (RTs) play a central role in OA assessment by performing standard hip and knee imaging studies while accommodating a patient's OA-related pain and mobility challenges when needed. This course begins with an overview of hip and knee joint anatomy and the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical presentation of OA. Learners will explore the strengths and limitations of DR, patient care strategies, recommended radiographic projections, and image evaluation criteria. This course concludes with a review of radiographic signs of OA, common grading systems, and DR's role in managing patients with OA. Upon completion of this course, RTs will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to safely and accurately produce high-quality hip and knee images for OA assessment.