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Injured stable knee with acute effusion: MRI evaluation
J B Duncan1, R Hunter, M Purnell
1Aspen Valley Hospital, Colo, USA.
Journal of the Southern Orthopaedic Association
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals bone injury is the most common cause of acute knee effusions in stable knees without radiographic abnormalities. This imaging technique accurately identifies both bone and soft tissue injuries.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Acute knee effusions without ligament instability or radiographic abnormalities present a diagnostic challenge.
- Previous studies often relied on arthroscopy, potentially underestimating non-ligamentous injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in acute traumatic knee effusions.
- To identify the primary causes of effusion in knees with ligament stability and normal radiographs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 927 knee MRI scans.
- Inclusion criteria: acute effusion, stable ligaments, normal radiographs (excluding effusion).
- Analysis of 144 pathological diagnoses from MRI.
Main Results:
- Bone injury was the most frequent diagnosis (53%).
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruptions (19%) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains (12%) were also common.
- Medial meniscus tears (11%) and lateral meniscus tears (5%) were identified. Eight cases (7%) were normal.
Conclusions:
- Bone injury is the leading cause of acute knee effusion in patients with stable ligaments and normal radiographs.
- MRI provides a more comprehensive assessment of knee injuries, including bone and soft tissue, compared to previous methods.
- MRI findings differ significantly from arthroscopic data in this specific patient group.