[Knee injuries: MRI findings]

Abstract

Purpose: The knee is the most frequently injured joint that physical examination and plain radiographies are limited to diagnose precisely the knee injuries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been contributed great benefits to the accurate diagnosis by determining the injuries of menisci and ligaments in addition to bone structures. We evaluated MRI findings in traumatic knees and compare them to literature.

Materials and methods: The patients with the knee injury who were admitted to orthopedic surgery service were reviewed. Of them, 49 patients (50 knees) correlated operatively, arthroscopically and clinically were included in our study population. If the diagnosis was not sufficient by using plain films and clinical evaluation, the patients underwent MRI examination.

Results: Bone contusions were the most common finding in the injuries (n:33). The other findings were respectively, the anterior cruciate ligament injuries in 17 patients, meniscal tears in 12 patients, osteochondral fractures in 9 patients, collateral ligament injuries in 7 patients and bone fractures in 5 patients.

Conclusion: MR imaging-plays a major role in decisions on evaluation and management of traumatic knees, improves clinician diagnostic certainty and reduces the need for arthroscopy.