Abstract

Background: The value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for imaging the knee was apparent almost immediately after the introduction of this modality in the early 1980s. With the introduction of special closely coupled extremity coils, high field systems, open systems, extremity units and other technical advances, the utility of MRI in the knee has expanded dramatically. MR examination, a non-invasive modality, is now routinely used to assess a wide spectrum of internal knee derangements and articular disorders and has virtually replaced conventional arthrography in the evaluation of menisci and cruciate ligaments, decreasing both morbidity and costs associated with negative arthroscopic examinations. The knee joint is a biggest joint of the human body with complex articulation characterized by the presence of ligamentous and meniscal structures that play an important role in the stability and mobility. MRI due to its excellent soft tissue contrast resolution and multiplanar imaging capabilities provides significant advantages over 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: Our sample size was of 102 patients referred with history of knee injury were imaged with 1.5 Tesla GE-signa HdxII MRI machine in the department of radiology over a period of 18 months.
Results: Commonest injuries detected in the study are anterior cruciate ligament tear, tear of posterior horn of medial meniscus, bone contusions and joint effusions. Clinical presentation and radiographs of the patient did not help in diagnosis in most of the cases of acute knee injury, especially in multiple ligament and bone injuries. MRI detected soft tissue injuries very well in addition to the bony injuries.
Conclusion: MR examination, a non-invasive modality, is now routinely used to assess a wide spectrum of internal knee derangements and articular disorders and has virtually replaced conventional arthrography in the evaluation of menisci and cruciate ligaments, decreasing both morbidity and costs associated with negative arthroscopic examinations. Magnetic resonance imaging is the excellent non-invasive investigation tool for knee injury due to excellent soft tissue contrast resolution and multiplanar imaging capabilities which provides the most detailed evaluation in cases of various soft tissue injuries of knee joint.
 
Keyword:Non-invasive investigation, traumatic knee, joint injuries, MRI, acute knee injuries