Exploring the Relevant Assessment Procedures in Evaluation of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

The management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) depends on the current state of joint degeneration and its influence on the individual’s functional health status. To ensure a comprehensive understanding that facilitates informed decision-making, it is imperative to integrate radiological assessment with clinical and functional evaluations. Pain assessment should adopt a paradigm that considers both nociceptive and neuropathic sources of pain, considering the potential role of peripheral and central sensitization in pain manifestations and its ramifications on affective and cognitive spheres. Functional assessment should encompass three dimensions, according to the view of the reported results and the degree of objectivity. Additionally, given the notable prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety among individuals with knee OA, mental health status must not be overlooked, as it significantly influences functional status and predicts rehabilitation outcomes. Consequently, the results obtained from the functional test should be considered in light of the potential impact of depressive symptoms. However, it is crucial to recognize that depressive symptoms may exert distinct influences on the three functional dimensions, contingent upon the level of objectivity. Regarding pain, a lack of clear consensus exists on its influence, with divergent definitions of pain and the inclusion of heterogeneous cognitive factors related to pain impeding the derivation of conclusive results. Ultimately, a comprehensive assessment incorporating radiological, pain, functional, and psychological statuses is essential to inform optimal treatment decisions tailored to the specific stage of knee OA.