Knee MRI

3T MRI of a single knee joint evaluating menisci, cruciate and collateral ligaments, articular cartilage, and bone marrow. No referral needed.

The knee MRI is one of the most commonly requested joint studies, and the 3T field strength at UltraMR provides superior cartilage and ligament visualization compared to lower-field systems. The protocol includes sagittal proton-density and T2-weighted sequences optimized for meniscal tears, coronal images for collateral ligament assessment, and axial images for patellofemoral tracking and retinacular evaluation. The radiologist systematically evaluates the medial and lateral menisci for tears, degeneration, and parameniscal cysts; the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments for partial or complete tears; articular cartilage on all three compartments using the ICRS grading system; bone marrow for oedema, contusions, and occult fractures; and the extensor mechanism including the patellar tendon and quadriceps insertion. This scan is frequently requested after sports injuries, for chronic knee pain without clear diagnosis, before arthroscopic surgery, and for monitoring known cartilage defects. The higher signal-to-noise ratio at 3T is particularly beneficial for cartilage mapping, where subtle thinning or fissuring may be the only finding.