ObjectiveFlexion and erect standing radiographs were evaluated in the current study to compare their sensitivity in detecting articular cartilage wear.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingA tertiary care hospital outpatient orthopedic clinic.PatientsAll patients with osteoarthritis of the knee ages 40 to 75 scheduled for arthroscopic debridement between March 1995 and November 1997 were considered for the current study.InterventionRadiographs were obtained 1 week preoperatively in both the 3-foot standing anteroposterior (AP) and a 45° posteroanterior (PA) flexion weight-bearing projection. Joint space height was measured with a ruler in millimeters at the narrowest point of each compartment. All radiographs were assessed by two independent observers who were blinded to the arthroscopic findings and clinical symptoms of the subjects.Main Outcome MeasuresPrediction accuracy of each radiograph for severe Grade IV articular cartilage wear in tibiofemoral compartments.ResultsOne hundred fifty-two patients with a mean (± SD) age of 60.5 ± 8.5 years were enrolled in the study. Fifty-one percent were female. Twelve patients were categorized as having severe lateral compartment articular chondropathy (Grade IV) at the time of arthroscopy. The lateral joint space height averaged 1 .0 ± 1.7 mm SD on the 45° PA radiograph compared with 2.7 ± 1.1 mm SD on the 3-foot standing AP view. Using a cutoff of 2 mm or less, the 45° PA view was much more sensitive (83% versus 42%) at correctly detecting the most severe chondropathy. Forty-one patients were classified with severe Grade IV medial compartment chondropathy at arthroscopy. There was little difference in the average joint space height measured by the 45° PA view (1.4 ± 1.4 mm SD) or the 3-foot standing AP view (1.9 ± 1.6 mm SD). A number of cutoff measures were evaluated, but no significant advantage could be found for either view in evaluating the medial compartment severity.ConclusionsThe bilateral 45° PA is superior for detecting lateral compartment wear but offers no advantage on the medial side. This view should be considered as the screening radiograph of choice in evaluating osteoarthritis of the knee.