Knee MRI

Dedicated knee MRI using a Siemens 3T system with a purpose-built knee coil, producing high-resolution images of the menisci, cruciate and collateral ligaments, articular cartilage, and subchondral bone. The scan is the reference standard for evaluating internal derangement of the knee without arthroscopy.

The knee is one of the joints that benefits most from 3-Tesla field strength. Cartilage imaging in particular improves substantially — the increased signal allows thinner slices (down to 2 mm) and higher in-plane resolution, making it possible to detect partial-thickness chondral defects and early delamination that 1.5T systems may grade as normal. This matters for athletes and active patients where early intervention (such as autologous chondrocyte implantation or microfracture) depends on catching cartilage damage before it progresses to full-thickness loss. HELIMED's knee protocol includes proton-density fat-saturated sequences in sagittal and coronal planes (the primary workhorse for meniscal and ligament assessment), coronal T1 for bone marrow evaluation, and axial images for patellofemoral tracking and patellar cartilage. The menisci are evaluated for tear morphology (horizontal, vertical, radial, root), location (anterior horn, body, posterior horn), and associated meniscal extrusion. Both cruciate ligaments are assessed for fibre continuity, signal heterogeneity, and graft integrity in post-reconstruction cases. The scan takes approximately 25 to 35 minutes. No contrast is required for standard internal derangement assessment, though gadolinium MR arthrography can be arranged for suspected labral or capsular pathology. Reports reference established grading systems (Outerbridge for cartilage, Stoller for menisci) so that referring orthopaedic surgeons receive immediately actionable classifications.