THE DIAGNOSIS OF MENISCAL TEARS IN ATHLETES - A COMPARISON OF CLINICAL AND MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING INVESTIGATIONS

This study evaluated the predictability of clinical examination alone in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of meni scal tears in competitive athletes. Ninety-three competitive athletes were prospectively investigated between 1992 and 1995. A total of 57 a thletes were operated on based on clinical examination alone, and the 36 remaining athletes had magnetic resonance imaging before surgery. T he correct diagnosis of a meniscal lesion was made on clinical examina tion alone in 83 athletes (89%) and on magnetic resonance imaging the correct diagnosis was also made in 89% of 36 athletes. The overall val ues for the clinical investigation of the medial and lateral menisci c ombined were 94.5%, 91.5%, 99%, 96.5%, 87% for accuracy, positive pred ictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity, respectively. The overall values for magnetic resonance imaging of th e medial and lateral menisci combined were 95.5%, 96.5%, 91.5%, 98%, 8 5.5% for accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive valu e, sensitivity, and specificity, respectively.