Changes of meniscal interhorn distances: an in vivo magnetic resonance imaging study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of the internal (IID) and external meniscal interhorn distance (EID) of the medial and the lateral meniscus under loading. Sagittal magnetic resonance images of 15 knees were studied. The medial and lateral meniscus were examined with the knee at 0 degrees and 30 degrees of flexion, under no load, with load equal to 50% of body weight and with load equal to 100% of body weight. Under no load, the mean IID was 19.9 mm for the medial meniscus and 12.3 mm for the lateral meniscus and the mean EID was 44.6 mm for the medial meniscus and 34.4 mm for the lateral meniscus. Under load equal to 50% and 100% of patient's body weight, there was a significant increase in both distances (p<0.05). Under constant loading, flexion of the knee from 0 degrees to 30 degrees , decreased the EID of both menisci. In conclusion, loading increases both IID and EID. Knee position affects only the EID. The quality of magnetic resonance images may affect the reliability of such measurements.