Does MRI add value in general practice for patients with traumatic knee complaints? A 1-year randomised controlled trial

A non-inferiority trial including 356 patients presenting to a general practitioner with traumatic knee complaints were randomized to receive immediate referral for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or usual protocol directed by the guidelines provided by the Dutch college of general practitioners. The primary outcome of interest was the Lysholm knee score. Secondary outcomes of interest included the EQ-5D quality of life questionnaire, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (KOOS), pain on a numeric rating scale (NRS), as well as patient perceived recovery and satisfaction. Follow up was performed at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results found no significant differences in all outcomes and all time points between the two groups with the exception of patient perceived recovery and patient perceived satisfaction, which were significantly in favour of the MRI group.