What kinds of tests are used to diagnose articular cartilage damage?
Dr. Lubowitz: As above, MRI has come a long way in this area. Arthroscopy is diagnostic as well as therapeutic. You look right at the damage with the camera…this is the gold standard. Regular x-rays don’t show the damage until arthritis becomes advanced. Dr. Lubowitz: With diagnostic arthroscopy, the treatment or therapeutic part comes at the same operation, of course. Paul: When performing a leg extension on a weight machine, is it true that you can target the inside of the thigh more if you turn your foot outwards? Dr. Lubowitz: I believe this to be true. I wanted to research this during my fellowship, but we didn’t have the necessary resources at the time. Personally, I sometimes try this. Dr. Lubowitz: Again, as above, I try to recommend this type of exercise in an isometric fashion, holding the weight up, but with the knee straight, and not letting the weight move. newman: How do you tell the difference between plica syndrome and anserine bursitis? Dr. Lubowitz: newman, the pes
