Using MRI for Knee Injuries
Dec. 17 -- Following are answers to some basic questions about how MRI scans can be used to diagnose knee ailments.
What is an MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a test in which a body area is scanned using an advanced computer, a large magnet and radio waves to generate images of the affected area. Doctors examine the muscles, tendons, bones, brain and other body organs. The pictures that are produced help doctors to make a diagnosis.
How do MRIs work?
A magnetic field is created by a large tube-shaped or cylindrical magnet. A patient lies down on a special table and is positioned inside the machine, near the magnet. Usually, an MRI exam can last between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on the type of exam the patient needs and the specific type of machine being used.
How can MRIs be used to diagnose knee injuries?
An MRI can be used to get a good look at the bones, tendons and ligaments within the knee. It can detect abnormalities within the various knee compartments and help doctors decide the type of treatment a patient needs.
What types of knee problems can be detected by an MRI?
Some knee problems that can be diagnosed by an MRI include arthritis, cartilage damage, a tear of the medial or lateral meniscus (the fibrous material connecting the thigh bone and the shin), sprains or strains of the knee, cyst of the bone, tumor or cancer, or a deformity of the nerves or blood vessels of the knee.
What types of treatments could I need for my knee pain?
Some knee problems respond to traditional treatments such as special exercises and anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen. Steroid injections into the problem area are also sometimes helpful. Some patients require braces that remove pressure from the affected part of the knee.
Popular Reads
ABC News Live