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Knee Imaging

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Knee Imaging

  • See Also
  1. Knee XRay
  2. Knee XRay Indications
  3. Knee Ultrasound
  4. Knee Pain
  5. Knee Exam
  1. See Knee XRay
  2. Knee XRay is first-line when indicated in Knee Injury or Knee Pain (but poor overall efficacy)
  3. Acute Knee Injury
    1. See Knee XRay Indications in Acute Injury (e.g. Ottawa Knee Rules)
    2. Acute Fracture (e.g. Patella Fracture, Tibial Plateau Fracture)
  4. Chronic Knee Pain
  5. Osteoarthritis (with weight bearing AP and 20 degrees flexion)
  6. Osgood Schlatter disease
  7. Osteochondral Fracture, Osteochondritis Dissecans or avascular necrosis suspected
    1. Obtain AP, lateral, and notch/tunnel view, merchant views
  1. See Knee Ultrasound
  2. Dynamic tendon evaluation (e.g. Patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon)
  3. Collateral ligament evaluation
  4. Baker Cyst
  5. Neurovascular evaluation
  6. Knee Effusion evaluation (esp. to direct needle aspiration)
  • Imaging
  • Knee CT Indications
  1. Complex or occult Fracture suspected and non-diagnostic XRay (e.g. Tibial Plateau Fracture, multi-part Patella Fracture)
  2. Posterior Knee Dislocation suspected (CT Angiogram of leg)
  • Imaging
  • Knee MRI Indications
  1. Occult Fracture not visualized on XRay (CT may also be used)
  2. Suspected significant ligament injury(ACL, PCL, LCL, MCL) or meniscal tear requiring surgery
  3. Suspected Tendon Injury (quadriceps or Patellar tendon)
  4. Mechanical symptoms (e.g. locking) refractory to trial of physical therapy
  5. Osteochondral Fracture, Osteochondritis Dissecans or avascular necrosis suspected (non-diagnostic XRay)
  6. Malignancy
  7. Osteomyelitis
  • References
  1. Pendergraph (2026) Am Fam Physician 114(1): 49-62 [PubMed]