Evaluation of the Relationship Between Clinical Findings and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Patients with Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair

Objective: In this study, the relationship between clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscus repair was investigated.Methods: Seventy patients with a mean age of 29.3 ± 9.2 (range; 18-54) were included in the study. The clinical evaluation of the meniscus repairs was made according to the criteria described by Barret. MRI results were evaluated according to the classification made by Crues et al. In addition, the clinical healing and satisfaction of the patients were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative the Lysholm functional scoring. Both clinical and MRI results were compared based on age, time to surgery, type of tear, localization of the ruptured meniscus, combination with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Results: While the results of 58 (83%) patients were successful in the clinical evaluation, the number of cases that recovered according to the MRI results was found to be 39 (55.7%). The mean Lysholm functional score, which was 62.64±19.73 preoperatively, increased to 90.93±9.58 at the final follow-up. Consistency between improvement in MRI according to Kappa analysis and success or failure according to clinical evaluation was found to be insignificant. In this analysis, the sensitivity coefficient was 52.86% and the Kappa value was calculated as 0.123.Conclusion: No correlation was found between clinical evaluation and MRI results in the statistical analysis. According to the results of this study, clinical evaluation and Lysholm functional scoring help the clinician more in case follow-up and the success of the surgery compared to the MRI results.