Knee Osteoarthritis detection and classification using a customized CenterNet with DenseNet201

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent joint disorder diagnosed using imaging modalities like MRI, CT scans, and X-rays, with X-rays being the most cost-effective. Early detection is crucial for effective management. This study presents an automated deep learning approach to detect and classify KOA severity based on the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading system using single posteroanterior standing knee X-ray images. Utilizing the Osteoarthritis Initiative dataset, we employed transfer learning to fine-tune DenseNet-201, enhancing model performance. Additionally, knowledge distillation was applied to reduce computational complexity while maintaining accuracy. Our model achieved over 95% accuracy on both testing and cross-validation datasets, outperforming existing methods. This approach offers a reliable tool for early KOA diagnosis and grading, potentially aiding clinical decision-making