Knee MRI

Diagnostic MRI of the knee joint providing detailed imaging of the menisci, cruciate and collateral ligaments, articular cartilage, and surrounding structures. The scan is the standard of care for evaluating internal knee derangement and is essential for surgical planning when ligament reconstruction or meniscal repair is being considered.

The knee MRI at MRI Centrum produces high-resolution images of all the key structures within and around the knee joint. The menisci — the C-shaped cartilage shock absorbers between the femur and tibia — are assessed for tears, which appear as abnormal signal intensity extending to the articular surface. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are evaluated for continuity, thickening, or signal abnormality indicating partial or complete tear. The medial and lateral collateral ligaments are imaged along with the posterolateral corner complex, which is increasingly recognised as a critical stabiliser. Articular cartilage is assessed for thinning, fissuring, or focal defects — findings that inform decisions about conservative management versus surgical intervention such as microfracture or cartilage transplantation. Bone marrow signal is also evaluated for contusions (bone bruises), stress fractures, and osteochondral lesions. The patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, and popliteal structures are included. The scan typically uses sagittal, coronal, and axial sequences in both T1-weighted and fluid-sensitive (T2/PD fat-sat) contrasts. The examination takes approximately 25-35 minutes and is performed with the knee in a dedicated knee coil for optimal image quality.