Effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing the meniscus and ligament tear in knee injuries

Abstract

Background: With the recent development in imaging techniques such as higher resolution, lesser artifacts, shorter imaging timing and higher accuracy MRI had changed the traditional algorithm for workup of knee joint pathology particularly in twisting injuries of knee where there is a chance of internal derangement is suspected. Aim: To assess the efficacy of MRI in detecting ligament, meniscal and bony injuries of knee joint among the patients with knee joint injuries. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one year among patients reported with knee joint injuries in the age group between 15 and 35 years. . A total of 60 patients were taken as our study sample. All patients initially screened with X-ray followed by MRI using 1.5 tesla Siemens 16 machine. Meniscal and ligament tear were evaluated and graded based on the radiological grading and any other pathological conditions appeared in the bones or soft tissues were also noted. Results: Identifying the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament tear was more with MRI technique compared to X-ray and the difference was also found to be statistically significant (p.05). Similarly joint effusion, bone marrow edema and certain bony lesions are picked up by MRI rather than X-ray. Conclusion: Though X-rays are considered as the investigation of choice by orthopedicians for diagnosing bony pathologies, MRI is highly efficacious in detecting the internal derangements that occurs in knee injuries other than the bony lesions.