Usefulness of ultrasonography for dynamic evaluation of medial meniscus hoop function in early knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of the medial meniscus during knee flexion–extension by ultrasonography and compare them with MRI findings to confirm the usefulness of ultrasonography for evaluating early knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In total, 100 patients were diagnosed with early KOA using clinical and radiographical findings. Dynamic ultrasonographic evaluation and MRI were performed in all patients. Medial meniscal extrusion (MME) and medial meniscal tears were evaluated via ultrasonography and MRI. Abnormal MME was defined as MME > 2 mm on ultrasonography during knee extension. Patients with abnormal MME were divided into two groups: a decrease group (group D) and a non-decrease group (group N). Age, sex, absence or type of meniscus tear, and MME were compared between the two groups. Of the 100 patients, 75 demonstrated MME > 2 mm at knee extension. MME at all assessment positions using ultrasonography and MRI were significantly greater in group N (n = 34) than that in group D (n = 41). Medial meniscus posterior root tears or radial tears were observed in most cases in group N. A lack of decrease in MME from 0° to 90° of flexion on ultrasonography was a characteristic finding in patients with a loss of meniscal hoop function.

Chinese Experts Consensus and Practice Guideline on Discoid Lateral Meniscus

“…The real-time dynamic observation, the unique advantages of ultrasound, may enable it to become a reliable new method for diagnosing DLM and its classification and lesions. 41,[118][119][120]199 In recent years, there are many studies about the diagnosis of X-ray on DLM and its classification, but X-ray can only be used as an indicative diagnostic method because its diagnostic value is influenced by measuring error and the distance between the X-ray tube and knee joint. [17][18][19][123][124][125][126][127][128][129] The key points of DLM treatment are restoring the normal shape, retaining the appropriate width and thickness, and preserving the remnant meniscus's stability.…”

“…The accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosing meniscus lesions is comparable to that of MRI, but the diagnosis of DLM and its classification and lesions is potential and still in the preliminary exploration stage. The real‐time dynamic observation, the unique advantages of ultrasound, may enable it to become a reliable new method for diagnosing DLM and its classification and lesions 41,118–120,199 . In recent years, there are many studies about the diagnosis of X‐ray on DLM and its classification, but X‐ray can only be used as an indicative diagnostic method because its diagnostic value is influenced by measuring error and the distance between the X‐ray tube and knee joint 17–19,123–129 …”

Feasibility and efficacy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of discoid lateral meniscus and its classification in children: protocol for a prospective, multicentre, diagnostic test study

“…Ultrasound has been applied to diagnose meniscal tears and DLM with high accuracy 24–26 47–51. Additionally, the advantage of the real-time dynamic evaluation of ultrasound has made diagnosing PRS possible 22 28 29 52. In children, the advantages of ultrasound meet their unique requirements, and the anatomical characteristics of their knees better adapt to ultrasound,19 22 23 which is reasonable to speculate that ultrasound has great potential to diagnose DLM and its classification.…”

“…During knee extension, the peripheral rims of the anterior horn, body and posterior horn are located around the tibiofemoral line. However, during knee flexion, the peripheral rims of the anterior horn and body intrude into the articular cavity, while that of the posterior horn extrudes from the articular cavity 28–31. Therefore, measuring the MDPR from knee extension to flexion is important for evaluating the PRS.…”

Experimental Ultrasound Approach for Studying Knee Intra-Articular Femur–Tibia Movements under Different Loads

“…Ultrasound echography (ultrasonography and sonography) is an approach often applied for the diagnosis of different muscle, tendon, and joint injuries [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The ultrasound method for the joint visualization of the lower limb is important in medicine, kinesitherapy, and biomechanics from diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic prospectives [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The ease of working with ultrasound and the lack of ionizing radiation are benefits in comparison with computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy [ 39 ].…”