Services

Knee MRI at Gateway Diagnostic Imaging

What Is a Knee MRI?

A knee MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a specialized, non-invasive imaging test that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and other soft tissues in your knee joint. Unlike x-rays or CT scans, knee MRI provides exceptional soft tissue detail without using ionizing radiation, making it the gold standard for diagnosing complex knee injuries and conditions.

During your knee MRI scan, you’ll lie comfortably on a padded table with your knee positioned in a specialized coil designed specifically for knee imaging. The exam typically takes 30-45 minutes, depending on the specific areas being examined and whether contrast material is needed.

Why Your Doctor Ordered a Knee MRI

Your physician may recommend a knee MRI to diagnose, evaluate, or monitor various conditions affecting your knee joint. This advanced imaging technique can detect problems that may not be visible on standard x-rays, helping your healthcare provider develop the most effective treatment plan for your specific knee condition.

Knee MRI Can Detect

Ligament Injuries:

  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
  • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries
  • Medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains
  • Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) damage
  • Multiple ligament injuries

Meniscus Problems:

  • Meniscal tears (medial and lateral)
  • Degenerative meniscus changes
  • Discoid meniscus
  • Meniscal cysts
  • Post-surgical meniscus evaluation

Cartilage Damage:

  • Articular cartilage injuries
  • Osteochondral defects
  • Chondromalacia patella
  • Early arthritis changes
  • Post-traumatic cartilage damage

Tendon and Muscle Injuries:

  • Patellar tendon tears or tendinitis
  • Quadriceps tendon injuries
  • Hamstring strains
  • Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome
  • Baker’s cysts

Bone Conditions:

  • Stress fractures not visible on x-rays
  • Bone bruises or contusions
  • Bone tumors or lesions
  • Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis)
  • Fractures in complex locations

Inflammatory Conditions:

  • Knee arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid)
  • Bursitis
  • Synovitis
  • Infection
  • Inflammatory arthritis

The Importance of Knee MRI

Superior Soft Tissue Visualization

Your knee joint contains many ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and muscles that x-rays cannot adequately show. MRI provides unparalleled detail of these soft tissues, allowing radiologists to identify injuries and conditions that might otherwise go undiagnosed.

Accurate Sports Injury Diagnosis

Many knee injuries, especially sports-related ones, involve multiple structures. MRI can identify the full extent of the injury, including associated damage that might not be apparent during physical examination, ensuring comprehensive treatment planning.

Pre-Surgical Planning

For patients considering knee surgery, MRI provides surgeons with detailed anatomical information needed to plan procedures effectively. The images help determine the best surgical approach, predict outcomes, and identify potential complications.

Conservative Treatment Guidance

Not all knee problems require surgery. MRI helps distinguish between conditions that can be treated conservatively with physical therapy, medications, or injections versus those that need surgical intervention.

Monitoring Healing and Recovery

MRI is excellent for tracking how knee injuries heal over time, especially for athletes or active individuals. Follow-up scans can show whether treatments are working or if additional interventions are needed.

Arthritis Assessment and Management

For patients with knee arthritis, MRI provides detailed information about cartilage loss, bone changes, and inflammation that helps guide treatment decisions including injections, medications, and surgical timing.

Preventing Further Damage

Early detection of conditions like cartilage damage, ligament instability, or stress fractures can prevent more serious complications and preserve knee function long-term.

How to Prepare for Your Knee MRI

Scheduling Considerations:

  • Allow 1-1.5 hours for your entire visit
  • No special time-of-day is required for a knee MRI
  • Inform us of any mobility limitations or difficulty lying flat
  • Let us know if you need assistance getting onto the exam table

Medical Information to Provide:

  • Complete list of current medications
  • Previous knee surgeries or procedures
  • History of knee implants or hardware
  • Known allergies, especially contrast materials
  • Recent injuries or changes in your symptoms

Insurance and Documentation:

  • Bring your insurance card and photo ID
  • Arrive 15 minutes early for registration
  • Bring your doctor’s order or referral
  • Bring any previous imaging studies of your knee

What to Wear

Clothing Guidelines:

  • Comfortable, loose-fitting shorts or pants that can be rolled up
  • Avoid tight jeans or restrictive clothing around your legs
  • Athletic shorts or sweatpants work well
  • Easy-to-remove shoes and socks

Items to Remove:

  • All jewelry, especially ankle bracelets or knee braces with metal
  • Watches and fitness trackers
  • Cell phone and electronic devices
  • Keys and coins from pockets
  • Any metal objects on or near your knee

Safety Screening

Knee Implants and Hardware:

Our team will carefully review any metal objects in your knee, including:

  • Total knee replacements
  • Partial knee implants
  • Surgical screws, plates, or pins
  • Previous arthroscopy hardware
  • ACL reconstruction hardware

Other Metal Implants:

We’ll also review other implanted devices that might affect MRI safety:

  • Pacemakers or defibrillators
  • Joint replacements in other locations
  • Surgical clips or mesh

Tattoos and Clothing:

  • Inform us of any tattoos on your legs
  • Some older tattoos may contain metallic inks
  • Remove any compression garments with metal threads

Managing Comfort During Your Scan

Positioning Comfort:

  • Your knee will be positioned in a specialized coil
  • Padding and supports are used to ensure comfort
  • Let us know if you experience pain during positioning
  • We can adjust positioning as needed for your comfort

Pain Management:

  • We can provide additional padding for comfort
  • The scan can be paused if you need to change positions
  • Communicate any discomfort to our technologist

Claustrophobia Considerations:

  • Only your knee enters the scanner, your head will remain outside
  • The knee MRI is generally well-tolerated
  • Music or earplugs will be available to reduce noise
  • You can communicate with our technologist throughout the scan

What to Expect During Your Knee MRI

Arrival and Preparation

When you arrive at Gateway Diagnostic Imaging, our registration team will check you in and review your medical history. You’ll complete safety questionnaires and have the opportunity to ask questions about your scan.

The Positioning Process

Our experienced MRI technologist will help position your knee in the specialized imaging coil. We use padding and supports to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the scan. Only your knee and part of your leg enter the scanner, so claustrophobia is rarely an issue.

During the Scan

The MRI machine will make various sounds during different imaging sequences – knocking, buzzing, and clicking noises are completely normal. Each sequence lasts 2-6 minutes, and we will let you know how long each one will take. You’ll need to remain still during each sequence.

Contrast Enhancement

If your doctor ordered contrast, we’ll inject a small amount through an IV line, usually in your arm. This contrast material helps highlight certain structures like cartilage and can improve diagnostic accuracy for specific conditions.

Communication Throughout

You will be in constant communication with our technologist through an intercom system. We will check on you between sequences and can stop the scan if you need to adjust your position or take a break.

After Your Scan

You can resume all normal activities immediately after your knee MRI. If you receive contrast material, we will monitor you briefly before you leave. There are no restrictions related to the MRI itself.

Common Knee Conditions Diagnosed with MRI

Sports Injuries

  • ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL tears
  • Meniscal tears in athletes
  • Patellar dislocation injuries
  • Multi-ligament knee injuries
  • Overuse injuries like runner’s knee

Degenerative Conditions

  • Osteoarthritis and cartilage wear
  • Degenerative meniscal tears
  • Bone-on-bone arthritis
  • Inflammatory arthritis
  • Age-related knee changes

Traumatic Injuries

  • Complex fractures around the knee
  • Bone bruises from impact injuries
  • Ligament sprains and tears
  • Cartilage damage from trauma
  • Post-accident knee evaluation

Chronic Pain Conditions

  • Patellofemoral pain syndrome
  • IT band syndrome
  • Chronic knee pain of unknown cause
  • Failed previous knee surgeries
  • Persistent pain after injury

Post-Surgical Evaluation

  • ACL reconstruction assessment
  • Meniscus repair evaluation
  • Total knee replacement complications
  • Arthroscopy follow-up
  • Hardware-related problems

Why Choose Gateway Diagnostic Imaging for Your Knee MRI?

Specialized Musculoskeletal Imaging

Our advanced MRI equipment includes specialized coils and sequences designed specifically for knee imaging, ensuring optimal image quality and diagnostic accuracy for knee conditions.

Expert Sports Medicine Radiologists

Board-certified radiologists have specialized training in musculoskeletal imaging and extensive experience interpreting knee MRI studies. They understand complex knee anatomy and sports-related injuries.

Athlete and Active Lifestyle Focus

We understand the importance of getting back to your activities quickly. We offer flexible scheduling and work efficiently to provide prompt, accurate results that help guide your return to sports and activities.

Comprehensive Orthopedic Support

We work closely with orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and physical therapists to provide the detailed imaging information needed for optimal knee care and treatment planning.

FAQs

How long does a knee MRI take?

Most knee MRI scans take 30-45 minutes, depending on the specific sequences needed and whether contrast is used.

Will my knee fit in the machine?

Yes, our MRI machines accommodate knees of all sizes. We have specialized positioning devices to ensure comfort for patients of all body types.

Can I have an MRI with a knee replacement?

Most knee replacements are MRI-safe, but we’ll verify the specific type and manufacturer before your scan.

Will the scan hurt my injured knee?

The MRI scan itself is painless. We’ll position your knee as comfortably as possible and can provide padding to minimize discomfort from your injury.

What if I can’t straighten my knee fully?

We can accommodate knees that can’t fully extend due to injury or arthritis. Our technologists are experienced in positioning patients with limited knee mobility.

Can I move during the scan if my knee hurts?

We need you to remain still during each imaging sequence, but we can pause between sequences if you need to adjust your position. Let us know if you’re experiencing significant discomfort.

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