The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of meniscal movement during knee flexion on MR images and to correlate it with the severity of cartilage damage in the femorotibial joint.
Sagittal MR images were obtained at extension and 45 degrees of flexion in 35 knees. A shortening ratio in the distance between the anterior and posterior horns at 0-45 degrees of knee flexion was calculated in each meniscus and was correlated with the degree of cartilage abnormality in the femorotibial joint.
The shortening ratio of the meniscus was reduced in knees with cartilage abnormality in the femorotibial joint. The shortening ratio of the medial meniscus was inversely correlated with the degree of cartilage abnormality in the medial femoral condyle and with that in the medial tibial plateau.
Restricted shortening ratio of the meniscus may be related to cartilage damage in the femorotibial joint.