This protocol is divided into two parts. The first part contains detailed instructions for obtaining knee, hand, and pelvic radiographs using the Radiographic Procedure Manual for Examinations of the Knee, Hand, Pelvis and Lower Limbs from the Osteoarthritis Initiative: A Knee Health Study. The second part of the protocol is the Kellgren-Lawrence Grading Scale(c). This scale is a tool used by radiologists to determine the extent of osteo-arthritic findings seen via radiographs. Radiologists look at the amount of spacing between joints, bone formation, and bone contour when determining the Kellgren-Lawrence Grade(c). The Skin, Bone, Muscle and Joint Working Group (WG) recommends the knee, hand, and hip as the most critical areas to examine for osteoarthritis in genome wide association studies (GWAS) and other large population-based studies. Study investigators will need to tailor the area of examination according to their specific study hypotheses. The Working Group recommends using the Osteoarthritis Initiative radiographic procedure manual for obtaining radiographs. This manual provides guidance for obtaining radiographs of the knee, hand, and pelvis of adults. However, please note that not all sites must be done. Additionally, the Working Group recommends using the Kellgren-Lawrence Grading Scale(c) once a radiograph is obtained. The Kellgren-Lawrence Grading Scale(c) grades are for each joint and are not combined or averaged. Each grade provides information on the level of osteoarthritis at each joint location.
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