What does an MRI of the knee show?
The examination identifies medial and lateral meniscal tears with type and location, anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries, collateral ligament injuries, chondromalacia of the patella, Baker's cyst, synovitis and occult fractures with bone marrow edema. It is by using MRI that the traumatologist decides whether arthroscopy is needed. The study is performed for one joint - in case of complaints on both sides, each knee is scanned separately.
Why do you need an MRI for a joint injury?
X-rays and computed tomography clearly show the bone, but the ligaments, menisci, cartilage and tendons are practically invisible on them. Meanwhile, it is these structures that are damaged in a typical sports or everyday joint injury.
MRI is the only test that can show a torn meniscus, cruciate ligament injury, bone marrow edema, fluid accumulation, and cartilage damage without surgery.
What does joint examination reveal?
- tears and degenerative changes of the menisci
- partial and complete ruptures of ligaments and tendons
- damage to articular cartilage and signs of arthrosis
- accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity and synovitis
- bone marrow edema and hidden fractures not visible on x-ray
- cysts, tumors and inflammatory changes in periarticular tissues
What to do with the pictures
The radiologist's report describes the changes found, but the decision on treatment is made by an orthopedic traumatologist, comparing the MRI picture with complaints and examination results. The same changes in different patients may require both conservative tactics and arthroscopy.