MRIs alone can’t diagnose a knee problem, but they can provide strong evidence to support a diagnosis.

This article discusses MRIs and how they can help diagnose and treat a knee problem.

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What Does a Knee Injury Look Like on an MRI?

MRI image of knee joint

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An MRI can help your healthcare provider find abnormalities in your knee.

How Does an MRI Work?

In some cases, the torn portion will have migrated to the center of the knee joint.

This is commonly referred to as a “bucket handle tear.”

Certain abnormalities will be listed on an MRI report as an “intrasubstance signal.”

Intrasubstance signal could be due to normal aging or an increased vascularity commonly seen in children and young adults.

Further investigation would be needed to reach a definitive diagnosis.

The ACL is one of the most commonly injured ligaments in the knee.

Isolated tears of the PCL are relatively uncommon.

If one occurs, it will typically be seen as a distinct disruption of the ligament fibers.

Tendon Problems

Atendonis a tough, sinewy fiber that connects muscle to bone.

2021;11(12):1360. doi:10.3390/life11121360