Long-term outcome of meniscal degeneration in the knee: poor association between MRI and symptoms in 45 patients followed more than 4 years.
Knee joint-related symptoms are frequent and the use of MRI as a diagnostic tool is common. About 25% of MRIs show meniscal degeneration (MD). As the natural history of MD has not been well described, we studied the long-term outcome of 50 MDs. 45 patients were initially evaluated by a MRI, and clinical examination and later by another MRI. After 5 years, 38 of the MDs were unchanged, 8 had progressed and 4 regressed. Progression of MD was associated with age over 40 years, trauma during the follow-up period and/or other knee lesions, such as osteoarthrosis and ligament rupture. The clinical findings were consistent with MDs only in 8 cases.
Munk
Bo
B
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Denmark. dr.munk@dadlnet.dk
Lundorf
Erik
E
Jensen
Jørn
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome