Clinical Observations of Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of the Medial Tibial Plateau

• Published in: Zen Nihon Shinkyu Gakkai zasshi (Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) Vol. 54; no. 4; pp. 620 - 626
• Main Authors: KITAKOJI, Hirosi, KATSUMI, Yasukazu, KOJIMA, Akiyoshi, OCHI, Hideki, ITOH, Kazunori
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 2004
• Subjects: acupuncture; idiopathic spontaneous osteonecrosis; medial condyle of tibia; osteoarthritis of the knee joint; tibial percussion test
• ISSN: 0285-9955; 1882-661X; 1882-661X
• DOI: 10.3777/jjsam.54.620

[Objective] We analyzed the clinical findings in 5 patients with osteonecrosis in the medial condyle of the tibia. We also evaluated the usefulness of a tibial percussion test that we developed for examination of differences between the healthy and affected sides in percussion caused by knocking on the tibial rough surface. [Methods] The subjects were 5 females, who consulted our hospital with a chief complaint of gonalgia and in whom conditions such as osteonecrosis in the medial condyle of the tibia were confirmed by MRI in 4 limbs. In addition to X-p, MRI findings, medical findings by interview, and findings by physical examination were evaluated as clinical findings. Furthermore, the tibial percussion test was performed. [Results] The causes of pain in the knee joint were unclear in all patients. Pain was severe in 3 patients and marked in 2 patients. Physical examination showed marked tenderness in the medial articular gap and tenderness in the medial condyle of the tibia. In all patients, a difference in the percussion findings between the healthy and affected sides was confirmed by the tibial percussion test. [Conclusions] These findings indicated that the tibia percussion test in addition to confirmation of characteristic clinical conditions, such as the initial condition of the disease and the severity of tenderness, is useful for the evaluation of conditions of this disease.