Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the most commonly used imaging modality in the evaluation of knee injuries.
Aim Of Study: Was to demonstrate the diagnostic value of MRI in diagnosing the presence or absence of the most common injuries of the knee; the meniscus tears, the cruciate ligament ruptures and their relation with the age and sex of the patients in taif -hospital Saudi Arabia, and investigate role of the nurse in preparing patient for MRI.
Methods: Retrospective study was performed in the period from Sep 2013 to Oct 2014. One hundred and fifty patients' medical records, who presented with various knee joint problems, referred from Orthopedic and Rheumatology Departments in king Abdul Aziz Specialist hospital after physical examination. Moreover, fifteen out of twenty ( 75 %) nurses working at the same above setting were included in the study. Tool Of Study: An observation checklist, for data collection from medical records, in addition , designed questioner for nurses' participated about MRI procedure . Results: The most common age 10-29 y, and male represent 72.7%. Swelling and pain (35.3%) more common Clinical diagnosis, followed by Joint effusion (24.7) , there are statistical significance difference between Clinical diagnosis and MRI finding P=0.00,Also statistical significance difference between MRI finding with age and sex P≤0.05. Most of nurses perform patient preparation before MRI reasonably , but more than half of the nurses have poor performance regarding patient preparation during and after procedure. Conclusion And Recommendation: MRI can accurately diagnose the ligament and meniscal injuries of knee joint, which is an ideal technique in the diagnosis of ligament injuries of knee joint. In service training is essential for all nurses working at KAASH.