Indications for and clinical procedures resulting from magnetic resonance imaging of the knee in older patients: Are we choosing wisely?

CONCLUSION: Our study reproduces the known association between OA and degenerative meniscal changes in older patients. We have found a surprising underuse of the standing anteroposterior view on radiography. Most patients in our cohort could have been appropriately diagnosed and treated based on such radiographic information, as demonstrated by pre-MRI findings, thus avoiding the MRI and subsequent evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon. Meniscectomy was rarely performed, particularly in patients with advanced OA. Educational and pragmatic measures must be emphasized to encourage the use of radiography and to limit the inappropriate use of MRI, a costly technique. PMID: 29540401 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Canadian Family Physician Medecin de Famille Canadien - Category: Primary Care Authors: Tags: Can Fam Physician Source Type: research