2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional MR Imaging-Aid to Knee Preservation Surgery: Focus on Meniscus and Articular Cartilage

With an increasing life expectancy of global human population, there is a growing demand for preservation of native articular meniscus and cartilage to delay joint arthroplasties, especially in younger and active patients. Since damage to the meniscus and hyaline cartilage of the knee have limited intrinsic capacity to heal, such lesions lead to premature and/or accelerated osteoarthritis. However, knee surgical treatments have evolved and may allow restoration of the natural anatomy, delay the progression of damage, and alter the biology of the meniscus and articular cartilage. The knee preservation surgery is aided by timely detection of such injuries and high-resolution illustration and characterization of the pathology using two-dimensional and three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), made possible due to better MR scanner technology and related software improvements. This article reviews the current literature and authors’ experience with imaging concepts and high-resolution MR imaging techniques as they relate to management and planning for such restorative procedures. Relevant arthroscopy correlations have been illustrated.