Quantitative Evaluation of Postoperative Status after Meniscal Repair Using Synthetic Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Motivation: Post-surgical imaging evaluation of the meniscus is essential for clinicians to formulate personalized rehabilitation programs. Goal(s): SyMRI can simultaneously quantify the T1, T2 relaxation time and PD of tissues, providing an objective method to reflect meniscus change. Approach: The conventional MRI and SyMRI were performed before surgery, at 6 months, and 1 year after a surgery of meniscus repair, along with the Lysholm scores, to evaluate the postoperative recovery status. Results: Compared with the conventional MRI, T2 values presented a significant correlation with Lysholm scores and enabled to reflect follow-up postoperative function status of the meniscus. Impact: The post-surgery abnormal meniscus signals fail to accurately distinguish the recurrent meniscus tears from postoperative changes during recovery period using conventional MRI. SyMRI can simultaneously provide contrast weighted MRI and quantification, giving an objective assessment of meniscus changes.