ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MRI SCORING AND ODI IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURIES

Background: Cruciate ligament injuries, particularly those affecting the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), are a frequent cause of knee pain and functional disability, leading to a significant number of clinical consultations and rehabilitation needs. Accurate assessment of the extent of ligament damage is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment planning. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard for diagnosing soft tissue injuries of the knee, while the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) provides a validated measure of functional impairment. Objective: To investigate the association between MRI scoring and ODI in patients presenting with cruciate ligament injuries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at ALNOOR Diagnostic Center, Lahore, over a duration of four months. A total of 100 patients aged 18–65 years, presenting with knee pain and confirmed cruciate ligament injury on MRI, were included. Patients’ functional status was assessed using the ODI questionnaire. MRI scans were performed using a 1.5 Tesla scanner and scored based on findings related to joint effusion, ligament retraction, fiber disruption, meniscal involvement, and joint space narrowing. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between MRI scores and ODI scores. Results: Among the 100 patients, 76 (76%) were male and 24 (24%) female. ACL injuries were present in 88 patients, with 65 males (73.8%) and 23 females (26.1%). PCL injuries were found in 12 patients, 11 males (91.6%) and 1 female (8.3%). The majority of cases were aged 38–47 years (n=42), followed by 48–57 years (n=30). ODI scores showed moderate disability in 59 patients (21–40%), while 58 patients had Grade III MRI injury (31–50%). A strong positive correlation was observed between MRI score and ODI score (r = 0.875, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study revealed a significant correlation between MRI-based structural grading and functional disability measured by ODI, indicating that higher MRI injury grades are associated with greater impairment. Middle-aged males showed a higher prevalence of ACL injuries, emphasizing the need for early detection and preventive strategies.