MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?

G N Gillespie; K Lang; J L Williams

doi:10.1302/0301-620X.91BSUPP_III.0910422c

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MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?

G N Gillespie
K Lang
J L Williams

MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?

Gillespie GN, Lang K, Williams JL. MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?. Orthop Procs. 2009;91-B(SUPP_III):422-422. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.91BSUPP_III.0910422c

Gillespie, G N, et al. “MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?.” Orthopaedic Proceedings, vol. 91-B, no. SUPP_III, 2009, pp. 422-422., https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.91BSUPP_III.0910422c

Gillespie, G. N., Lang, K., & Williams, J. L. (2009). MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 91-B(SUPP_III), 422-422. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.91BSUPP_III.0910422c

Gillespie, G. N., Lang, K. and Williams, J. L. (2009) “MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?.” Orthopaedic Proceedings, 91-B(SUPP_III), pp. 422-422. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.91BSUPP_III.0910422c

Gillespie, G N, K Lang, and J L Williams. “MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?.” Orthopaedic Proceedings 91-B, no. SUPP_III (2009): 422-422. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.91BSUPP_III.0910422c

Gillespie GN, Lang K, Williams JL. MRI SCANS IN ARTHRITIC KNEES – AN UNNECESSARY INVESTIGATION?. Orthop Procs. 2009 Sep 1;91-B(SUPP_III):422-422. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.91BSUPP_III.0910422c

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Abstract

This study evaluates the relationship between radiographic knee osteoarthritis and the presence of a relevant meniscal tear detected with MRI in symptomatic patients over the age of 60.

Seventy-seven patients over 60 investigated with a knee MRI in a 1 year period were identified. 60 patients had a full set of data available for analysis. The plain radiographs were graded for osteoarthritis using the Kellgren – Lawrence (K-L) scale in a blinded manner. The indication for the MRI was subdivided into: meniscal symptoms, general knee pain and other. These indications were correlated with the K-L grade and result of the MRI.

Overall, 40% of patients with a K-L grade of 0 had a meniscal tear compared to 89% of patients with a K-L score of 3 and 88% with a K-L score of 4. The indication for a MRI was meniscal symptoms in 49, general pain in 6 and other in 5. In the group investigated for meniscal symptoms, the incidence of meniscal tears was 92% and 100% with a K-L grade of 3 and 4 respectively.

In patients with meniscal symptoms and significant radiographic osteoarthritis the outcome of the MRI is so predictable that the scan is unnecessary.

Correspondence should be addressed to Mr T Wilton, c/o BOA, BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE, England.