To Study the Role of MRI in Meniscal Injuries of Knee: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: MRI has clearly emerged as the primary imaging tool in the workup of knee joint pathology. MRI has made it possible to look into the injured knee non-invasively thereby avoiding invasive procedures and further morbidity. The main indication of MRI is in assessment of meniscal and ligament injuries. However it is useful in demonstrating other knee joint abnormalities involving articular cartilage, bone marrow, synovium, patellofemoral joint and adjacent soft tissue. MRI has been proven to be effective in defining the various knee structures and has proved to be an imaging modality in defining damage to these structures thus providing an aid in planning the treatment if needed. Aim: To study the role of MRI in meniscal injuries of knee. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among patients presenting with history of knee injury, who were referred to radiology department of Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Rural Medical College for MRI Knee. Patients giving consent to be included in the study, having no cardiac pacemakers, metallic implants in body and not claustrophobic were enrolled and studied. Thus such 30 cases were studied. Data was collected and complied in Microsoft excel and data was analysed using open epi version 2.3.1. Results: Mean age was 32.4+12.3 years. 65% were males and 35% were females. 64% had meniscal tear on MRI. Among them 70% had medial meniscal tear and 30% had lateral meniscal tear. Conclusion: MRI has been proven to be effective in defining the various knee structures such as ligaments, tendons, menisci, cartilage, musculature and the soft tissues and has proved to be an imaging modality in defining damage to these structures, thus providing an aid in planning the treatment if needed.