Lumbar spine Joints frequently afflicted with osteoarthritis. On the other hand, osteoarthritis is exceedingly rare in certain joints unless it is secondary to trauma or some inflammation process. The knee has two compartments, a medial compartment and a lateral compartment. Osteoarthritis may indeed involve only one compartment. The therapeutic implication is that if the excess pressure on that compartment were relieved by an operation such as a femoral osteotomy which would correct the valgus deformity, the patient's symptoms might be relieved.
Recurrent effusions are common in osteoarthritis of the knee.
Osteophytes occur frequently in osteoarthritis and may be palpable along the edges of the condyles. To find them, palpate the knee when it is flexed 90 degrees. Crepitus is best detected during passive flexion and extension of the knee. Perform this maneuver with one hand, while keeping the other cupped over the patella so you can feel crepitus if it is present. Wasting of quadriceps.