Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Knee Disorders Clinical Value and Cost-Effectiveness in a Sports Medicine Practice

To prospectively evaluate the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging of the knee in a referral sports medicine practice, we performed a three-part study. First, we asked 72 consecutive patients a series of clinically relevant questions regarding the ordering of their magnetic resonance imaging scans. Second, we asked the treating physicians at our center if the mag-netic resonance imaging findings changed the diagno-sis or treatment. Third, we compared the clinical eval-uation with the findings on magnetic resonance imaging scans for 37 patients who had arthroscopic confirmation. From the physician’s perspective, in only three cases would the results of the scan have changed the diagnosis. Information from the scan