Abstract: In this study, the morphology of femoral condyle cartilage and patellar condyle cartilage was evaluated in meniscus tear disease, which is one of the most common diseases that restricts daily life activities. It was aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between femoral condyle cartilage and patellar condyle cartilage and meniscal tear disease by performing morphometric measurements of the knee joint. The study included a patient group of 84 people (35 males, 49 females) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were diagnosed with meniscal tear, and a control group of 60 people (35 males, 25 females) who were not diagnosed with meniscal tear and underwent MRI for other reasons. In the study, the age parameter was grouped as follows; 1st age group 41 people aged 18-29, 2nd age group 38 people aged 31-40, and 3rd age group 71 people aged 41-55. In the individuals included in the study, the cartilage volumes and surface areas of the femoral and patellar condyles were measured on the sagittal section in proton density (PD) weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images to perform segmentation with the 3-dimensional (3D) modeling technique, while the Femur-Tibia shortest distance was measured on the coronal section in T1-weighted MR images. When compared with the control group, it was determined that there were no statistically significant differences in the parameters of total femoral condylar cartilage volume (TFCCH), total femoral condylar cartilage surface area (TFCCYA), patellar condylar cartilage volume (PCCH), patellar condylar cartilage surface area (PCCYA) and Femur-Tibia shortest distance in patients with meniscal tears (p>0.05). In patients with meniscal tears and in the control group, cartilage volumes, surface areas and Femur-Tibia shortest distances were found to be greater in men compared to women (p=0.0001).

Keywords: Meniscus tear, 3D slicer, Morphology, Knee joint, Magnetic resonance imaging, Cartilage