Which imaging approach is particularly useful for evaluating OA because it assesses weight-bearing joints?

• A. Standing radiographs
• B. Supine radiographs
• C. MRI
• D. CT

Answer: (A)

Weight-bearing loading reveals how the joint behaves under normal use, which is crucial for assessing osteoarthritis. Standing radiographs capture the knee, hip, or spine while the patient bears weight, so you can see true joint space narrowing and alignment (varus or valgus deformity) that develop with OA. This information is essential for judging disease severity and planning treatment. Supine radiographs are taken without load and may underestimate cartilage loss and real-world alignment. MRI shows cartilage, bone marrow, and soft-tissue changes, but isn’t the go-to for evaluating how the joint space changes under weight. CT provides excellent bone detail but little about cartilage under load. So standing radiographs are the best choice for evaluating OA in weight-bearing joints.