Abstract

Objective: To determine the effects of physical examination findings with the results of manyetik rezonans imaging (MRI) on the decision for arthroscopic surgery.

Methods: Preoperative physical examination findings and MRI results of the patients undergoing knee arthroscopy in our clinic were evaluated statistically by reference of arthroscopy retrospectively.

Results: The mean age of patients in the study is 47.2 (22.73), respectively. 25 of the patients were female, 20 of them were male. Arthroscopic surgery was performed for 27 left knee and 18 right knee. Mc Murray test sensitivity in patients with medial meniscus tear is 69.8%. The medial joint line tenderness sensitivity is 97.7% in the patients with medial meniscus tear. Sensitivity of MRI is determined as 93% in the group with medial meniscus tear. Mc Murray test sensitivity in patients with lateral meniscal tear is 71.4%. The lateral joint line tenderness sensitivity is 100% in the patients with lateral meniscus tear. Sensitivity of MRI is determined as 85.7% in the group with lateral meniscus tear. Mc Murray test sensitivity is 68.9%, joint line tenderness sensitivity is 97.8% and sensitivity of MRI is determined as 93.3% without discrimination on the medial and lateral meniscal tear.

Conclusion: A careful physical examination is the most effective diagnostic method to determine meniscal pathologies. We think that careful physical examination could reduce the rates of unnecessary MRI exams.

Key words: Arthroscopy, meniscus, physical examination, MRI