Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Internal Derangements of the Knee Joint

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Internal derangements of the knee joint are a leading cause of pain and disability, requiring precise diagnostic evaluation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the non-invasive gold standard for assessing soft tissue injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the spectrum and prevalence of such derangements using MRI in a tertiary care setting in Bangladesh. Objective: To assess the patterns and frequency of internal derangements of the knee joint as detected by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Methods & Materials: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Radiology & Imaging, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College & Hospital, Gazipur, Bangladesh, from January 2024 to June 2025. A purposive sample of 53 patients with clinical suspicion of knee derangement underwent 1.5 Tesla MRI. Images were evaluated by experienced radiologists. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, and MRI findings were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests in SPSS version 23.0. Results: Analysis of 53 patients revealed meniscal tears as the most common injury (79.2%), predominantly affecting the medial meniscus (52.8%). Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears were present in 39.6% of cases, with a significant association to lateral meniscal tears (p=0.042). Sports trauma (41.5%) and degenerative causes (37.7%) were primary etiologies, each demonstrating distinct injury patterns (p=0.003). Conclusion: MRI is essential for characterizing knee derangements, with medial meniscal and ACL tears being most prevalent. The high frequency of combined injuries necessitates comprehensive imaging to inform appropriate management. Further multicenter studies are recommended to validate these findings.