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Letter to the Editor: Kellgren-Lawrence classification for knee osteoarthritis: Clinical value and limitations
Zhi-Guang Chen, Wen-Qian Xu, Zeng-Rui Zhang, Jin-Song Liu, Ying-Xing Xu, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650000, Yunnan Province, China
Author contributions: Chen ZG and Xu YX designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Chen ZG, Xu YX, Liu JS, Zhang ZR, and Xu WQ contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript; and all authors have read and approved the final version to be published.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no competing financial or non-financial interests for this article.
Corresponding author: Ying-Xing Xu, MD, Chief Physician, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 295 Xichang Road, Wuhua District, Kunming 650000, Yunnan Province, China. 13708776227@163.com
Received: October 21, 2025
Revised: February 15, 2026
Accepted: April 23, 2026
Published online: July 18, 2026
Processing time: 263 Days and 7.3 Hours
Revised: February 15, 2026
Accepted: April 23, 2026
Published online: July 18, 2026
Processing time: 263 Days and 7.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: The Kellgren-Lawrence grading system remains a cornerstone for the radiographic assessment of knee osteoarthritis. Although invaluable for diagnosis, treatment stratification, and research, it has significant limitations. Key limitations include its dependency on radiographic imaging, inability to assess soft tissues or the patellofemoral joint, and variable correlation with subjective symptoms. A multimodal, patient-centered assessment strategy is recommended for optimal knee osteoarthritis evaluation.