ROLE OF MRI IN ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PAINFUL KNEE JOINT

Abstract

MRI has revolutionized diagnostic imaging of the knee. It has become the investigation of choice in the assessment of internal joint structures of the knee joint like menisci, cruciate ligaments and articular cartilage. PURPOSE: The objective of this study is assessing the role of MRI to identify and describe various etiologies of painful knee joint. Our study was a hospital MATERIALS AND METHODS: based descriptive study conducted at S.M.S. Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur (Raj). Total 50 patients with painful knee joint were included. Patients referred from orthopedic department for MRI evaluation of painful knee joint were included in the study and post operative cases were excluded from the study. All the MRI scans were performed using 3.0 TESLA MRI Philips Ingenia Machine. Results were analysed by a descriptive analysis and specic ndings were compiled. Out of 50 patients MR images were normal in 2 patient RESULTS: s. Most common knee pathology was meniscus injury in 32 (64%) patients and involved medial meniscus in 22 patients. In ligament tears ACL injury was more common than PCL injury. Other chronic causes of painful knee joint were chondromalacia patellae, osteoarthritis and cystic lesion. MRI evaluation in patients with CONCLUSION: painful knee is of vital importance, as MRI can demonstrate the exact nature and extent of bony as well as soft tissue abnormality. MR imaging is the best non-invasive modality for the diagnosis of meniscal and ligament tears.