EVALUATION OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TEARS BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) WITH ARTHROSCOPIC CORRELATION

Abstract

Introduction: MRI is a noninvasive, radiation free modality with a good ability to evaluate soft tissues. About 28% of populations among all population visits in hospital have complained with knee pain. There may be many causes such as infections, trauma, degenerative joint conditions, inflammatory conditions, and congenital lesions. Commonly injured ligament in knee is Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which is usually associated with Meniscal injures. In the body knee is important weight bearing joint of the body that provides mobility and stability during physical activity as well as balance while standing. Knee injuries like Traumatic injuries are frequently encountered both in general practice and in the hospital setting. Knee injury is offen caused by sports activities and may lead to severe pain and disability.

Aim: The main aim of this study is to MRI evaluation in the knee injuries related to anterior cruciate ligament compared to arthroscopy.

Material and methods: In this study 40 patients were included who were visiting to CCM hospital with suspected ACL injury. From all the patients detail history and clinical provisional diagnosis were taken. All the patients were taken for MRI examination followed by arthroscopy. Patients with injury of ACL and meniscal injuries were included in this study. MRI was analysis with the standard imaging planes of the knee were evaluated with each ACL bundle being classified as intact, partially torn, or completely torn.

Result: In this study 40 patients were included with suspected ACL injuries, which are associated with pain, limitation of movement, and swelling of the knee joint.  According to ACL tear seen in MRI 30 patients shows partial and 10 patients shows complete ACL tear whereas Arthroscopy shows 12 patients with partial and 28 patients shows complete tear. According to the associated injuries re-sampling the type of meniscal injuries,in comparing to MRI and Arthroscopy the incidence of medial  meniscus tear was 26  and lateral meniscus tear  was 14 in MRI and meniscus tear was 25 and lateral meniscus tear  was 15 in Arthroscopy.

Conclusion: MRI is commonly used diagnostic arthroscopy in most settings, and is considered an effective screening tool in most patients. MRI findings before arthroscopy help in the management of meniscal and ligament injuries. MRI has also been proved as cost effective.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), knee injury