Evaluation of Various Types of Traumatic Knee Injuries by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Abstract

The knee joint is a biggest joint of the human body with complex articulation characterized by the presence of ligamentous and meniscal structures that plays an important role in the stability and mobility. MRI has significant advantages over plain X-rays and CT scan due to its excellent soft tissue contrast resolution and multiplanar imaging capabilities which surpasses other imaging techniques in the evaluation of traumatic injuries of knee joint. Study aimed to study the role of MRI in the evaluation of traumatic injuries of knee joint. Material and methods: A total number of 200 patients referred with history of knee injury were imaged with 1.5 Tesla Siemens Magnetom Aera MRI machine in the department of radiodiagnosis over a period of one year. Results: Commonest injuries found in our study are anterior cruciate ligament tear, medial meniscus tear, bone contusions and joint effusions. Clinical presentation and plain radiographs were not of much use in diagnosis in most of the cases of acute knee injury, especially in multiple ligament injuries. MRI detected soft tissue injuries very well in addition to the bony injuries. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is the excellent non-invasive diagnostic tool for knee injury due to excellent soft tissue contrast resolution and multiplanar imaging capabilities which provides excellent soft tissue details of the knee joint.