Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Is it really a Good Tool for Predicting Meniscal Reparability?

Meniscal tears represent one of the major knee injuries, but there are limited options for treatment and almost all cases involve surgical procedures, including total or partial excision or repair. Meniscal repair is associated with the most favorable outcomes compared with the other surgery options, and prediction of reparability of the meniscus is useful for surgeons. Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) remains the method of choice and widely used for the noninvasive evaluation of the knee joint. However, its effectiveness in predicting reparability of meniscus lesions is controversial. The aim of this review was to examine the evidence underlying the accuracy and importance of MRI to predict reparability of meniscus lesions and highlight the need for the development of a more efficient imaging technique, in addition to improving the quality of radiographic reports. Furthermore, this study aims to highlight the advantages of meniscal repair and stimulate its use.