Table 3 Diagnostic approaches for knee cysts

Clinical Examination

Palpation, swelling, pain assessment, mobility limitation

All

Quick, cost-effective

Low specificity, may not differentiate cyst type

[1, 4, 7]

Ultrasound (US)

Non-invasive imaging for cyst visualization

All

Fast, inexpensive, guides aspiration/injections

Operator-dependent, limited in deep cysts

[1, 4, 7, 21]

MRI

Gold standard for cyst evaluation, detecting meniscal tears, cartilage damage

All

High accuracy, detailed soft tissue visualization

Expensive, time-consuming

[1, 4, 7, 21, 30]

Arthroscopy

Direct visualization inside the joint

All

High accuracy, allows simultaneous treatment

Invasive, requires anesthesia

[1, 4, 21]

US-Guided Injection

Used to confirm cyst communication with the joint and guide aspiration or PRP therapy

Meniscal Cyst

Minimally invasive, real-time imaging

Operator-dependent, limited for deeper cysts

[30]