Knee MRI

The knee is a complex joint that is susceptible to injury, and a knee MRI can help diagnose any number of problems. In addition, an MRI of the knee is essential if you’re experiencing pain or stiffness in your joints, which could be caused by several underlying conditions, arthritis being just one of them.

The MRI imaging helps physicians diagnose and monitor various conditions related to the knees by using detailed pictures called “images” (also known as radiographs) made with radio waves and powerful magnets instead of x-rays. 

The images provided by MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) are more detailed information than standard x-rays on soft tissues like ligaments, tendons, muscles, blood vessels, and the nerves around bones. The findings help healthcare providers map out a diagnosis and set a treatment plan accordingly.

The Purpose of a Knee MRI

Pain in the knee or swelling around it may warrant a knee MRI. Medical imaging such as an MRI scan can help your doctors gain a better understanding of your symptoms. The purpose of a knee MRI can be broadly categorized into three categories:

• Knee MRI for knee pain
• Knee MRI for knee instabilities 
• Knee MRI for knee injuries

A knee MRI essentially helps diagnose knee disorders. This imaging study technique is said to be very effective since it provides high-resolution and precise images. It enables doctors to know exactly what is going on in the structure.

Do I Need a Knee MRI?

If you have knee pain, knee instability, or a knee injury, you will be required to undergo a knee MRI study. However, a knee MRI may be avoided if the condition is not serious and the patient is too afraid of its risks or expresses discomfort due to claustrophobia. In this case, it is best if you ask the facility if they have an open MRI or at the very least a wide-bore MRI. The wide-bore one is similar to a traditional MRI but with more space, while the open one is essentially open on three sides, making it ideal for patients with claustrophobia. 

Either way, if you’re interested in finding out the process of a knee MRI, let’s have a look at it.

What Is the Process of a Knee MRI?

A knee MRI can be performed on an outpatient basis and may include injection of contrast dye into the joint space if needed.

If you are wearing any jewelry, including glasses, watches, etc., you’d be asked to take it off before the knee MRI. Then you’d be placed inside the scanner. 

If your position inside the scanner needs any adjusting, the personnel there will assist you.  Once you’re in the right position in the scanner, the personnel will cover your body with a plastic or cloth drape so that you are fully covered before they move you into the machine for the MRI procedure. 

After this, the MRI images are taken while one or two special belts wrap around your chest and abdomen to hold you in place.

A knee MRI is a very quick and painless procedure. As long as you don’t need contrast dye for the imaging, the knee MRI will only take about an hour to complete. 

The contrast dye injection is a fairly routine procedure that may be needed for some patients undergoing a knee MRI. Some of these cases might include suspicion of a torn meniscus or ligament. Or certain people who have had surgery on their joint requiring an evaluation for post-operative complaints or patients with chronic joint pain. 

After the injection, the contrast material will travel to the joint and make it easier for your doctor to see any abnormalities. In addition, the dye that is injected will not affect your kidney function because it is not harmful to you. 

The dye can also be injected intravenously or given in the form of a pill. Depending on your condition, one route may be better than the other. You can leave shortly after your MRI examination has been completed.

How Quickly Do I Get My Results?

You will get the results of your knee MRI a few days after it has been taken. If you have a torn ligament or meniscus, you may need to see a doctor for surgery. You should not be experiencing any pain from the condition as long as your knee is stable. 

If you’re experiencing chronic pain, you should come back in to talk with the doctor. They will perform an exam, and if there is no physical damage, they should help you find out what triggers your pain and how to eliminate it.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Knee MRI?

Over the past decade, MRI has become an increasingly common tool in diagnosing injuries and diseases within the knee. However, from a patient’s perspective, it is difficult to understand how MRIs work and what they might find out from the scan. 

The main risk associated with having a knee MRI is that the electromagnetic waves from the machine may cause the heating of tissues under examination. 

The risk is lower if someone does not have metal implants like plates or staples in their body (especially in their legs). As a result, the knee MRI will be less painful, and the patient will experience a shorter recovery period.

Unlike x-rays, MRIs possess no risk for pregnant women and unborn babies. So, it’s deemed absolutely safe for both.

Results of a Knee MRI: How Can It Help?

The knee MRI provides a 3D image of your knee. Physicians can use this image to diagnose and monitor for knee abnormalities.

It’s very common for people with knee pain to be told they have a torn meniscus or ligament, but the knee MRI should show if the problem is actually there or not. If there is a tear, you should see a doctor for surgery as soon as possible. If there is no indication of a problem, your healthcare provider will tell you that the image shows an unremarkable MRI.

However, it’s also possible that the source of your pain is originating elsewhere and not from your knee joint.

In these cases, the doctor may order x-rays to check if bone spurs are causing the pain or if there are signs of arthritis. The doctor may also want to look at your feet and how they are functioning to try and identify what might be the pain.

When it comes to medical imaging, it goes without saying that you need to be super careful in deciding which facility to go to. Professional staff, qualified technicians and radiologists, state-of-the-art equipment are some of the things you need to keep in mind.

AQMDI is one such facility that offers several diagnostic imaging services, including MRI in Elizabeth NJ. So they are a safe and reliable option for a knee MRI. You can even make an appointment for a knee MRI in Elizabeth NJ by going to their website!

How to Avoid Going for a Knee MRI in the First Place:

While some conditions are unavoidable and some come with age, you can still take a few steps to improve your knee health. Prevention is always better than cure. Here are a few tips that should help you improve your general health and mobility, which in turn will decrease the risk of knee pain and related issues:

Focus on Your Diet

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and get regular exercise to build strong muscles and bones. For example, keep active by walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, using a rowing machine, doing pelvic floor exercises, etc. 

Work Out and Maintain a Healthy Weight

While working out, see if certain exercises cause extra strain on your knees. For example, some bodyweight exercises like squats and lunges can be difficult if you have poor knees. If they hurt while doing these moves, it’s best to look for alternatives.

What you eat and drink goes a long way when it comes to your health. If you are overweight, losing a few pounds and maintaining a healthy weight will prove to be quite beneficial for your joints. 

Maintain a Good Posture

Keep your spine in good alignment with correct posture while sitting or standing. You can look into getting back support aids like pillows and belts as well. 

Older people may consider using a cane or crutches if necessary to avoid putting too much weight on their joints. They too should aim to do simple join-friendly exercises like walking to help prevent mobility issues.  

To conclude, a knee MRI is an important diagnostic tool that can help identify several potential causes of pain in the lower extremities. It should be used as a first-line test to rule out any serious conditions like ligamentous tears, synovial cysts, or bone stress fractures before proceeding with more invasive tests such as arthroscopy or surgery. 

If you are experiencing persistent knee pain and would like to know if your symptoms warrant further evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon, please contact a consultant today and see if you need a knee MRI or not.