Need help understanding MRI report

[butterscotch23]

I just got a copy of my MRI report and won't see my doctor for a few days. Can somebody out there help me translate what all this means? Below are the three points written under Conclusion:

1. There is marked thinning of the right patellar cartilage and a moderate joint effusion. This is presumable degenerative in nature.

2.  There is some increased signal in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, but it does not appear to extend to the articular surface and therefore is probably intrasubstance degeneration and not a tear.

3.  There is a tiny popliteal cyst behind the knee and some generalized soft tissue edema around the knee.

Thanks so much - enjoy your day!

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear,
A small amount of fluid exists in normal joints. When a joint is affected by arthritis, particularly an inflammatory arthritis ,increased abnormal amounts of fluid build up, the knee appears swollen. The fluid is produced by the tissues that are affected by the arthritis and that line the joint.This is knee effusion.
The wear and tear cause degeneration and formation of bone spurs which cause joint pain.
A meniscal tear is unlikely when MR shows a focus of high signal intensity in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus that does not unequivocally extend to involve the inferior or superior joint surface. An appropriate trial of conservative treatment is recommended in such questionable cases.

A popliteal cyst is a small, bag-like structure that forms when the joint lining produces too much fluid in the knee. The extra fluid builds up and pushes through the back part of the joint capsule, forming a cyst. The cyst squeezes out toward the back part of the knee in the area called the popliteal fossa, the indentation felt in the back part of the knee between the two hamstring tendons and the top part of the calf muscle.
You should consult an orthopedic physician and get the evaluation done .

Refer http://www.springerlink.com/content/4fc7d3tc0fy6pj85/
Best