Comparative analyses of diagnostic methods in knee injuries

Objective:This study is analyzing the role and significance of the three diagnostic methods (clinical diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy), in establishing accurate diagnosis in knee injuries. The goal is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of each diagnostic method, using arthroscopy as gold standard. Material and Methods: We examined 70 patients with knee injuries. Clinical diagnosis was established using patient’s history and positive clinical tests for meniscal lesions, ACL injury and articular cartilage lesions. All patients underwent MRI on a 1.5 T magnet for MRI diagnosis. This was followed by arthroscopy for making the final diagnosis. Results: We analyzed the results of clinical tests for meniscal, ligamentous and articular cartilage injuries of the patients in both groups. Validity of the clinical tests was compared to the results got from MRI and arthroscopy. Accuracy of clinical diagnosis versus MRI diagnosis for medial(69.6% vs. 68.5%) and lateral (84% vs. 82.6%)meniscal lesions was almost identical. Accuracy of clinical diagnosis compared with the accuracy of MRI diagnosis for ACL injuries was higher (91.3% vs. 81.4%). Accuracy (85.5% vs. 72.8%) of clinical diagnosis versus MRI diagnosis for articular cartilage lesions was better. Conclusion: Affirmation of clinical diagnosis in this study is a result of usage of standard clinical signs and tests which are fundamental in establishing clinical diagnosis of knee injuries. MRI is a diagnostic method which enriches the diagnostic process. Arthroscopy is defined as superior diagnostic method, also a gold standard for comparison of the other two diagnostic methods.