What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?

Posted on Sat, 21 Oct 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 21 Oct 2017 Answered on

Thu, 9 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,
I am 41 years old, male and active in sports.
I had an injury in my right knee as a result of a collision while playing soccer nine months ago. The MRI diagnosed this as a meniscus tear.

I have done the following three based on doctor advice for approx 2-3 months each in a sequential manner
1. Rest and let it heal naturally
2. Physiotherapy
3. Plasma injection

So first I rested for a couple of months and wait to see the result, then physiotherapy for three months and then plasma injection. I don't think the tear has healed after all these actions.

While I can walk normally, it is not possible to run, play soccer, squat or any other strenuous physical activity without feeling pain. I have two possible options from what I understand -

1. Surgery to get back to an active lifestyle
2. Do nothing and compromise on activity levels

Can you please advise me on the following

Option 1
1. Is it possible for this problem to be fixed through surgery to return to an active sporting lifestyle

2. What are the long term implications of a surgery

Option 2
1. Will things deteriorate over time if I leave things as they are

2. Are there any other alternatives to reach my goal of being able to play sports.

Thanks, Ash.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Surgical repair can help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
A meniscus tear can heal on its own if it is a partial thickness tear. Since it is an old tear in case the tear has not healed on follow up MRI scan then surgery can help in restoring the painless knee movements.
After a surgery usually the healing takes place in 4-6 weeks but after 10-15 years the injury itself can aggravate arthritic changes in the knee.
If you leave as it is and restrict the activity levels even then a partial tear will heal but the strength of knee muscles may need further physiotherapy.
These are the only two alternatives available. Do discuss these with your orthopedician and choose the best treatment according to your need and activity level.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (28 minutes later)

Thanks you Doctor.

I am now seriously considering surgery and will consult ny doctor here.

1. Will the surgery help to get to roughly same levels of strength and movement s before the accident. Or is the functioning significantly less after the surgery compared to how things were before the trauma

2. Can you please provide more colour on the long term effects I.e arthritics changes you mention above.

Regards, Ash.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Surgery will restore the function.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
A surgical repair will help to get back the same level of strength and movement. Sometimes the surgery helps in very good healing and there is 100% restoration of strength in 6 weeks.
Arthritic changes are long term degenerative changes in the weight bearing joints like knee. In case of any injury the aging process of the knee hastens up and can be retarded with regular exercise and joint lubricant supplements like glucosamine.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar