Evaluation of knee-joint cartilage and menisci ten years after isolated and combined ruptures of the medial collateral ligament. Investigation by weight-bearing radiography, MR imaging and analysis of proteoglycan fragments in the joint fluid.

PURPOSE: To compare radiography, MR imaging, and chemical analysis in posttraumatic knees.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Ten matched pairs with either isolated partial rupture of the medial collateral ligament or combined medial collateral ligament/anterior cruciate ligament rupture were compared with matched controls 10 years after trauma. Weight-bearing radiographs and MR examinations were compared with proteoglycan fragment concentrations in the joint fluid.

RESULTS

The chemical analyses were similar in both trauma groups. The radiographs showed mild signs of arthrosis in half the patients with combined injury. MR images showed almost all injured knees to have degenerative changes of various degrees in the cartilage and menisci. More frequent and more advanced changes were found after combined injury than after isolated injury (p < 0.01). There were no changes in the controls.

CONCLUSION

MR imaging is the best method for detecting and differentiating early posttraumatic knee arthrosis.