investigations
Last reviewed 01/2018
Investigations which are of use for meniscal tears include:
- MRI scanning is replacing arthrography as the first-line investigation
- is the gold standard investigation method and is highly accurate in diagnosing meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- most appropriate screening tool before arthroscopy
- the sensitivity and specificity of MRI for
- medial meniscal tears - 93% and 88% respectively
- lateral meniscal tears - 79% and 95% respectively (1)
- arthroscopy: definite diagnosis
- plain radiographs
- useful in differentials e.g. - excluding bony pathologies and to assess the concomitant presence of arthropatic changes (1)
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