The retrospective investigation of association among physical examination findings, magnetic resonance imaging findings and functional status in the diagnosis of meniscal lesions

Objective: Retrospective investigation of the relationship among physical examination findings which are used for designating meniscal lesion, Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) findings and functional status of patients and was aimed. Material and Methods: Seventy-nine patients who had knee MRI upon preliminary diagnosis of meniscal lesion in last 6 months were questioned with Visual Analog Scale(VAS) for severity of pain during walking and for duration of symptoms. Pain with knee range of motion, McMurray test, Apley test, medial or lateral joint space sensitivity with palpation were determined in the examination. MRIs of patients were assessed for meniscal lesions. The functional status of patients were evaluated by Lysholm Knee Score(LKS). Results: While mean VAS was 7.05±1.86, the pain with knee motion was detected in 68(%86.1) patients. McMurray, Apley tests, sensitivity of medial or lateral joint space was positive respectively in 66(83.5%), 47(59.5%), 52(65.8%),10(12.7%) patients. Mean LKS was 61.32±14.93. The correlations between MRI findings of medial meniscal lesion, symptom duration, sensitivity of medial joint space and LKS were detected p= 0.044, r= 0.227, p= 0.005, r= 0.315, p= 0.001, r= 0.361,p= 0.001, r= -0.401 respectively. While the correlation was detected between MRI findings of lateral meniscal lesion and McMurray test, no correlation was detected with LKS (respectively p= 0.028, r= 0.247, p= 0.098, r= 0.187). Conclusion: The McMurray test for diagnosis of medial and lateral meniscal lesion and medial joint space sensitivity correlation with medial meniscal MRI findings were important tests in the diagnosis of meniscal lesion. The Lysholm score could be suggested to evaluate for patients who were suspected medial meniscal lesion, because of its correlation with medial meniscal MRI finding. Copyright © 2009 by Türk Tibbi Rehabilitasyon Kurumu Derneǧi