RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Osteoarthris represents one of the most frequent degenerative pathologies. Its prevalence increases with the age as well as the functional consequences which are more considerable at the elderly population. aim : study the epidemiology and clinical features of knee osteoarthritis of older patient. methods: retrospective study made in the department of physical and rehabilitation medicine of the military Tunis hospital, on a sample of 60 patients having osteoarthritis, divided in two groups, the one is constituted by 30 subjects of 65 and more years old, other one of 30 adults aged between 30 and 55 years old. All the patients had a clinical and functional evaluation. results: the comparison between both groups showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in the following items: the severity of the pain, the bilateral hydarthrosis, the muscular strength of quadriceps, hamstrings and their retraction, the severe reduction of walking perimeter, and the bicompartimental lesion of both knees. CONCLUSION: clinical and sociofunctional features of knee osteoarthritis in the elderly patient require adapted and multidisciplinary management, in order to avoid the potential impact of knee osteoarthritis on the function and quality of life of the patient.