X-ray signs that predict fast worsening of knee osteoarthritis

Identifying determinants of rapid structural and/or clinical progression in knee osteoarthritis by quantitative assessment of structural features on radiographs

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · NIH-11144997

This project uses computer measurements of knee X-rays to find people with osteoarthritis who are likely to get worse quickly.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (TUCSON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11144997 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you have knee osteoarthritis, researchers will use a computer program called QROS to take precise measurements from your knee X-rays, such as the space between bones, alignment, and bone texture. They will analyze those baseline X-ray features to find knees that tend to show rapid structural or symptom worsening. The approach is high-throughput and reproducible so many X-rays can be processed efficiently. The team aims to identify people who might need earlier treatment or who would be good candidates for clinical trials of new therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults aged 21 or older with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis and available knee X-rays would be the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without knee osteoarthritis, without usable knee X-rays, or who already have a knee replacement are unlikely to benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify people at high risk of rapid knee OA worsening so they can get earlier treatment or join trials testing new therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked X-ray measures like joint space width and bone texture to OA progression, but combining multiple quantitative radiographic features to predict rapid progression is a newer approach.

Where this research is happening

TUCSON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.