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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 6/2012

01-06-2012 | Knee

Early magnetic resonance imaging in acute knee injury: a cost analysis

Authors: Nirav K. Patel, Andrew Bucknill, David Ahearne, Janet Denning, Kailash Desai, Martin Watson

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 6/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

Acute knee injury is common, and MRI is often only used when non-operative management fails because of limited availability. We investigated whether early MRI in acute knee injury is more clinically and cost-effective compared to conventional physiotherapy and reassessment.

Methods

All patients with acute indirect soft tissue knee injury referred to fracture clinic were approached. Recruited patients were randomised to either the MRI group: early MRI within 2 weeks or the control group: conventional management with physiotherapy. Patients were assessed in clinic initially, at 2 weeks and 3 months post-injury. Management costs were calculated for all patients until surgical treatment or discharge.

Results

Forty-six patients were recruited: 23 in the MRI and 23 in the control group. Male sex and mean age were similar in the two groups. The total management cost of the MRI group was £16,127 and control group was £16,170, with a similar mean cost per patient (NS). The MRI group had less mean physiotherapy (2.5 ± 1.9 vs. 5.1 ± 3.5, p < 0.01) and outpatient appointments (NS). Median time to surgery and time off work was less in the MRI group (NS). The MRI group had less pain (p < 0.05), less activity limitation (p = 0.04) and better satisfaction (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Early MRI in acute knee injury facilitates faster diagnosis and management of internal derangement at a cost comparable to conventional treatment. Moreover, patients had significantly less time off work with improved pain, activity limitation and satisfaction scores.

Level of evidence

II.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Early magnetic resonance imaging in acute knee injury: a cost analysis
Authors
Nirav K. Patel
Andrew Bucknill
David Ahearne
Janet Denning
Kailash Desai
Martin Watson
Publication date
01-06-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-1926-5

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