Joint space narrowing is when the bones of femur and tibia are closer together than normal, recognised on an X-ray taken from the front.

medial joint space narrowing on both sides

Medial (M) joint space narrowing on both sides. The lateral (L) side is normal.

joint space narrowing in the knee

X-ray demonstrating joint space narrowing on the one side of the knee.

 

What causes joint space narrowing?

Joint space narrowing is usually due to loss of the meniscus tissue which normally pads the space between these bones. It may also be due to thinning of the joint cartilage.

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Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...