DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION IN COMPARISON TO ARTHROSCOPY IN KNEE INJURIES

ABSTRACT
Background: Accurate diagnosing of knee injuries is directly linked to taking the clinical history and making a careful
physical examination, in literature lot of studies has been for concordance between physical examination, MRI and
arthroscopy. The aim of the study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and concordance of the physical
examination (PE) in comparison with arthroscopy, in diagnosing knee injuries.
Method and Materials: Retrospective study of 47 patients, with evaluation and comparisons of medial joint line tenderness,
Mc Murray’s test for menisci and anterior and posterior drawer tests with arthroscopic findings, to determine
the concordance, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of these tests.
Results: Mc Murray’s test was positive for menisci injury in 42 patients, presenting sensitivity of 100 % and 96.97%,
specificity of 57.1% and 28.57% and diagnostic accuracy of 87.23% and 76.6% respectively for Medial Mensical and
Lateral menisci. Anterior drawer test sensitivity was 100%, specificity of 78.26% and diagnostic accuracy of 89.36% and
posterior drawer’s test was positive in one patient with 100% sensitivity and specificity each.
Conclusion: Physical examination provides a precise diagnosis when done carefully by an experienced surgeon and
there is best concordance between arthroscopy and physical examination. Arthroscopy should be used for treating