Magnetic resonance imaging of the internally deranged knee joint A preliminary local experience

To determine the validity of magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] as a diagnostic modality in the internally deranged knee joint, and to evaluate the effectiveness of MRI in reducing the number of diagnostic arthoscopies. Design: A retrospective study was conducted on two groups of patients with internal derangement of the knee joint. All were arthroscoped before and after the installation of the MRI machine. Setting: King Fahd University Hospital [KFUH], Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Subjects: Group 1 of 63 cases who underwent knee arthroscopy after MRI examination was compared to group 2 of 57 knees who satisfied the same inclusion criteria, but were scoped during the period before installation of the MRI machine. The accuracy values of MRI for the internally deranged knee at our hospital were moderate, and there was no significant difference between the number of diagnostic arthroscopies that were not followed by further surgical procedures in the two groups. Interpretation and These observations indicate that currently our MRI equipment needs improvement and development of new techniques. Awareness of the limitations and indications of this diagnostic modality in the internally deranged knee are warranted

Osteoarthrosis of the knee in a Saudi Arabian population

A prospective study was conducted over a 2-year period to describe the pattern of primary osteoarthrosis of the knee among Saudis, and compare it with other populations. Fifty patients [96 knees] met the criteria to be included in the study; 40% were under 50 years of age. The female to male ratio was 2.3:1. The condition was bilateral in 92% of the cases and varus deformity was seen in 83% of the affected knees. Quetelet's index of obesity exceeded the 'healthy range' in most of the cases [88%]. Half the cases had lumbar spondylosis although none of the patients showed evidence of associated arthrosis of the hip; 80% showed involvement of the patello-femoral articulation. Half of the patients were unable to pray normally and most could squat only with difficulty or not at all. Possible causes for this particular pattern of arthrosis of the knee and consequences regarding methods of surgical treatment are discussed