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Kinematic change of the meniscus and the tibiofemoral joint space in asymptomatic volunteers using a wide bore 3T closed MRI system

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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate kinematic changes in menisci and tibiofemoral joint spaces in extension and flexion using asymptomatic volunteers using a wide-bore 3-T closed MRI system.

Methods

Twenty-two knees from asymptomatic volunteers were examined in knee extension and flexion using a 3-T MRI (sagittal 2D FSE T2-weighted sequence and sagittal 3D isotropic FSE proton density-weighted cube sequence). The meniscal positions, meniscal floating and flounce were evaluated. The widths of the medial and lateral tibiofemoral joint spaces and coronal tibiofemoral angles were measured.

Results

In the anteroposterior direction, meniscal extrusion was most frequently seen in the anterior horn of the medial menisci (100 %) in extensions (maximum 6.04 mm). Most of the menisci moved significantly to the posterior side from extension to flexion. The anteroposterior meniscal movement was the greatest for the anterior horn of the medial meniscus and least for the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. In the mediolateral direction, meniscal extrusion was seen in 52 % of the medial menisci in extensions (maximum 1.91 mm) and 29 % of lateral menisci in flexions (maximum 2.36 mm). From the extension to flexion, all medial and lateral menisci moved significantly to the lateral side. Meniscal floating was frequently observed in the posterior horn of medial menisci in extension. Meniscal flounce was frequently seen in lateral menisci in flexion with a widened lateral tibiofemoral joint space gap. The coronal tibiofemoral angle showed medial wedging in flexion, but not in extension.

Conclusions

Wide-bore 3-T closed MRI revealed significant kinematic changes in the menisci and tibiofemoral joint spaces in asymptomatic volunteers.

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Abbreviations

FSE:

Fast spin echo

PD:

Proton density

AHMM:

Anterior horn of the medial meniscus

PHMM:

Posterior horn of the medial meniscus

AHLM:

Anterior horn of the lateral meniscus

PHLM:

Posterior horn of the lateral meniscus

ACL:

Anterior cruciate ligament

PCL:

Posterior cruciate ligament

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Acknowledgments

We deeply appreciate the help of our excellent MR technicians.

Conflict of interest

This work was supported by an INHA University research grant.

All authors in this article do not have any conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Inha University Hospital, 27, Inhang-ro, Choong-gu, Incheon, 400-711, South Korea

    Eugene Kim, Yeo Ju Kim, Mi Young Kim & Soon Gu Cho

  2. Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Bucheon, South Korea

    Jang Gyu Cha

  3. Clinical Trail Center, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, South Korea

    Dae Hyung Lee

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, South Korea

    Ryuh Sup Kim

Authors
  1. Eugene Kim
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  2. Yeo Ju Kim
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  3. Jang Gyu Cha
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  4. Mi Young Kim
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Correspondence to Yeo Ju Kim.

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Kim, E., Kim, Y.J., Cha, J.G. et al. Kinematic change of the meniscus and the tibiofemoral joint space in asymptomatic volunteers using a wide bore 3T closed MRI system. Skeletal Radiol 44, 1441–1451 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2187-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2187-4

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