MRI is commonly used to detect problems within various structures of the body. An MRI machine uses a combination of a powerful magnet and radio waves to produce images of body parts, including the knee.

“Knee injuries are very common in many sports such as soccer, football, rugby, and occasionally in hockey if a player has been hit on the side,” says Audrey Spielmann, a radiologist and HealthChoicesFirst.com partner. “We also see it frequently in skiers and people who enjoy snow sports.”

Benefits of Knee MRI

MRI of the knee is incredibly useful at investigating many injuries and conditions that can't be seen any other way.

“The benefit of knee MRI is that we can look at the soft tissues inside the knee such as the ligaments in the knee,” says Spielmann. “We also visualize the cartilage and the meniscus. MRI is really the only imaging modality that can view these structures well. Also, the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament, among other ligaments about the knee, are really only visualized with MRI and can’t be seen with a CT scan or ultrasound.”

Some of the most common injuries that are visualized with a knee MRI are:

• ACL and PCL tears
• The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments
• Medial and lateral collateral ligament tears
• The menisci
• Cartilage injuries
• Bone contusions

If you have any more questions about knee MRI, contact your family doctor, sports medicine physician or a diagnostic imaging center.

Complementary Content to Getting an MRI of the Knee

Videos & Articles:

• If you've suffered a knee injury such as an ACL or PCL tear or a medial or lateral ligament tear, your physician or physiotherapist may suggest a brace to help stabilize the knee while it heals. Watch our Ligament Stability Brace video for more information.