Detection of early meniscal changes among asymptomatic athletes : evaluation with MRI

Abstract EN

The menisci serve as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia by increasing the contact area for weight - bearing.

The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of mild repetitive trauma that may cause intrameniscal degenerative changes that can be visible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The asymptomatic knee of 40 male athletes, with no history of previous knee injury was randomly chosen for this study (right n = 28, left n = 12).

Their age ranged from 19 to 26 years.

They were examined clinically at the beginning of the game season and monthly till its end.

The asymptomatic knees were imaged with MR a week before and a week after the end of the season.

Our study revealed a progression in the grade of signal intensity shown in the menisci over the course of the season.

At the beginning of the study, 10 (25%) athletes were grade I, while 7 (17.5%) athletes were grade II and the remaining 23 (57.5%) athletes were normal; grade 0.

Four athletes were subjected to knee injury; one athlete from grade 0, another one from grade I and two from grade II.

They were excluded from the study which was continued with 36 athletes.

At the end of the study, as regards the 9 athletes who were in grade I; 4 of them remained in grade I while 5 athletes changed into grade II.

As for the 5 athletes in grade II; 2 of them remained in grade II and 3 changed into grade III A.

Concerning the 22 normal athletes grade 0, 19 of them remained normal while 3 changed into grade I.

Also knee effusion developed in 2 athletes (one from grade I and another from grade III A).

Vacuum phenomenon is observed in another 2 athletes.

These results suggest that apparent progressive degenerative changes occurred in the menisci of athletes throughout the course of the game season, due to chronic biomechanical stress.

Periodic examination at the beginning and throughout the season can detect any early meniscal change and / or injury and to what extent the athlete’s performance can be affected.

Thus, MR imaging is a recommended tool for early detection of minor meniscal lesion.