Can a meniscus tear be clearly detected via MRI?
Question:
It seems, as a patient, that the diagnosis is mostly based on the MRI. Hence my dumb question - Can an MRI be used to clearly identify a meniscus tear?.
Trying to be an informed consumer.
Answers:
Of course no diagnostic measure is 100%, if you have knee pain consistent with a meniscus tear and a positive MRI for a meniscus tear then the chances are extremely good that your diagnosis is dead on. The only way to truly know for 100% is to lay eyes on the meniscus via an arthroscope and the surgeon will only do that if it is the intention to repair the meniscus via arthroscopic surgery. I wouldnt worry too much b/c a minor menicsus tear repair has a very good outcome in a vast majority of cases.
It isn't 100% but it would seem that you do in dead have a tear. If your symptomatic with pain, swelling etc and it is seemingly not improving the diagnosis seems valid with the supporting MRI.
I'm laid up now with a messed up ligament and A POSSIBLE MENISCUS TEAR.
So for 2 weeks My leg is immobile.
Then if pain is still there
They will do MRI
The DR. says" that's the only way to see if there is a small tear in the Meniscus and if so it will not heal on own .
It has to be repaired with surgery.
This may not have answered your question.
The only way to detect a meniscus tear is by MRI. This shows all of the soft tissues, so if there a tear the MRI would be correct.
The doctor probably examined you and felt some abnormalities that led him to believe you have a meniscus tear.
Not always. My daughter went for an MRI, as the OS suspected a meniscus tear. The MRI showed something wrong, but was inconclusive. She had the scope done & had 3 tears of her medial meniscus, which were repaired.
Just be glad you didnt do what I did. I tore my lateral meniscus, and it locked into my kneecap. I couldnt have an MRI or X ray because I couldnt straighten my knee so i had to have surgery not knowing it if was torn or not.
I believe it can be detected however. The doctor told me if i could straighten my knee I would have an MRI, so I would guess yes it can.
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