Follow-up Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies After Arthroscopic Meniscectomy.

Between June 1998 and January 2000, 83 patients underwent preoperative MRI and subsequent arthroscopy. Twenty-two patients were available for this study. They had undergone arthroscopical meniscectomy, and follow-up MRI was obtained three months after arthroscopy. Intensity change of the bone marrow was recognized in five patients (23%), which suggested osteonecrosis or edema of the subchondral bone. Lateral subluxation of the retained lateral menisci occurred in three patients. Since the frequency of abnormal findings is low and the cost of MRI is expensive, we recommend follow-up MRI after arthroscopic meniscectomy only when the patients have sustained symptoms.