MRI of the knee - what can this study show?

Magnetic resonance imaging is considered one of the safest methods of radiation examination of tissues. With this method, magnetic radiation is used, while all other examiners include the use of X-rays, which can cause adverse effects. What will the MRI of the knee show? During this procedure, the physician receives the most accurate information about structural changes or damage, even at the initial stage of the disease.

Principle of MRI

The effect of magnetic resonance imaging is that certain radio-frequency pulses of different structure and duration are affected by certain tissues. They differ in signal intensity, which affects the degree of contrast when obtaining a 3D image.

Liquids are usually characterized by a strong signal, so they are brightly colored, but bone tissues have a weaker signal, which is why they appear dark in the image. MRI of the knee is able to show the picture in all planes. Due to this feature, it becomes possible to explore areas such as knee joints that can not be studied by other types of examination.

Indications for the appointment of MRI of the knee

This method of investigation is the only one that can detect the following diseases: Glantzman's myodystrophy, adhesion disease, which occurred at the initial stage of the tumor. In addition, MRI is widely used to detect abnormalities of various anatomical structures of the knee - vessels, venous system, nerve trunks.

Thus, indications for the procedure are the following pathological conditions:

• Damage to connective tissue (meniscus, tendon);
• Tumors;
• Fluid in the joint;
• bleeding;
• Sports injuries;
• infectious diseases;
• Violations with implants and so on.

What can the snapshot of the MRI of the knee show?

What can show Is research? Thanks to this survey, you can see quite a lot of anatomical structures. The resulting image clearly shows the state of the bone component, as well as nearby tissues. If you compare a picture of a healthy knee MRI with a picture of the injured joint, you can easily see the problem.

Thus, this kind of tomography shows the following elements of the knee:

• Bone tissue. MRI of the knee joint makes it possible to study inflammatory and degenerative changes in the bones, knee cap, joint head, fractures, cysts, etc.
• Cartilage. This study reveals how worn out is the cartilaginous tissue, as well as micro-ruptures and cartilage ruptures.
• Bundles and tendons. The knee is formed by various elements - the tendons of the muscles, internal, external, posterior and anterior cruciate ligaments, a patella calyx. MRI determines their elongation, tears and loss of elasticity.
• Meniscus. The knee joint consists of two kinds of meniscus: medial and lateral. Often with injuries, they are torn, and this can be detected only when carrying out MRI.

Preparation for the procedure

MRI of the knee is a diagnostic method, for which it is not necessary to prepare in advance. But all the same it is worth considering the following recommendations:

• Scanning and making a large number of images, of which subsequently form a three-dimensional image, lasts a long time - about 40 minutes. The patient must lie still all this time. In this case, you can ask the doctor for a pillow.
• Induction coils contribute to the creation of not only a powerful magnetic field, but also a loud knock. Suspicious and easily excitable patients may experience discomfort, so it is advisable to use a sedative.
• MRI is performed in a completely enclosed space (tube), so patients with claustrophobia are also recommended to take sedatives.
• Used in the diagnosis of contrast material in many people causes allergies, so if you tend to allergic reactions should be told in advance about this doctor.
• During the research, a powerful magnetic field is created, capable of disabling the patient's existing pacemaker or damaging tissues containing metal elements (pins, cermets, cermets). In this case, the procedure should be discarded.

Before the study, the patient is obliged to remove all metal objects, and his clothes should be free and do not constrain movement.

Contraindications

In addition to the fact that a powerful magnetic field disables pacemakers and damages tissues with iron present in them, there are several other reasons why an MRI of a knee is contraindicated:

• Pregnant and lactating women are forbidden to undergo tomography with a contrast agent, since it is toxic and able to stand out with milk. Also, the magnetic field can adversely affect the fetus, therefore during pregnancy MRI is performed only in the most extreme cases, for example, if the mother has a tumor.
• Children under 6 years of age also receive this procedure only under special circumstances.
• If the patient weighs more than 120 kg, then he is not allowed to be examined, since he simply does not enter the tomograph.
• If a knee injury causes severe pain, the person will not be able to lie still, which is the main condition for the examination. In this case, it is worth to abandon the procedure.
• Patients with renal insufficiency are forbidden to carry out MRI.

How do they do it?

Many are interested in how the MRI of the knee is done. Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee joint is performed in the same way as in the study of other organs, only in this case the induction coils will be located at the level of the diseased knee.

The patient lies on a special pull-out couch, its position is fixed with cushions and rollers, after which the table is rolled into a closed tomograph tube. During the study, the patient should be absolutely motionless, since this determines the high accuracy of the diagnosis. Slice tomograph produces every 0.3-0.6 cm, so even the slightest movement is reflected in the results of the survey.

During the session, none of the medical personnel will not be near the patient, but just in case there is a two-way communication with the operator. If there is dizziness, nausea and panic, the patient can report this to the operator.

Many people are interested in the question: "If a knee MRI is prescribed, how long does it take?" Usually, this procedure lasts from 10 to 40 minutes, and the patient receives the result on his hands 1-2 hours after the end. But the doctor who carries out the MRI can send the result to the specialist who gave the direction.

Use of contrast medium

There are such situations that during the procedure the patient is required to inject intravenously a contrast agent. This method of MRI is called contrast and is used to identify processes that are not visible when performing routine diagnostics. The essence of it is that the injected drug begins to change the parameters of the surrounding tissues.

Virtually all substances are made on the basis of iron oxide and gadolinium, but have different mechanisms of action. Before conducting such a study, be sure to find out whether an allergy to a contrast agent may occur. When choosing an institution where the knee MRI will be performed, it is necessary to find out whether there is resuscitation equipment there. But complications are very rare.

What is better - an MRI or a knee ultrasound?

It is necessary to consider these two most popular methods of examination. The ultrasound of the knee joint is performed using ultrasonic waves, and the MRI is a computerized method of investigation based on the magnetic resonance of the atomic compounds that form part of certain tissues.

Ultrasound is usually recommended for examination of internal organs to diagnose their disorders. MRI is used to diagnose bone diseases in the human body.

Also, ultrasound is completely safe and has virtually no contraindications, regardless of which area is being investigated. But when MRI is performed, a rather large magnetic field is created, because of which such a method of examination has certain contraindications and in some cases can not be carried out.

Do not forget about the availability of such methods. Due to the simplicity of such a study as a knee joint ultrasound, its cost is very low, and therefore it is available to all segments of the population. But holding an MRI is not many people can afford.

Thus, it is impossible to answer the question of which method of diagnosing the knee joint is better. Therefore, only an expert can be able to determine the feasibility of one or another method.

Cost of the procedure

The cost of MRI of the knee joint is several times higher than other methods of diagnosis. Costlyness of the procedure is explained by the high information content of the pictures, on the basis of which an accurate diagnosis is made.

The cost of MRI of the knee joint varies within 3,500 rubles and depends on the expected diagnosis.

Patient Reviews

Quite a few patients doctors appoint an MRI of the knee. The testimonies indicate that almost everyone was satisfied with this procedure. But not in any clinic it is possible to pass it, as it requires rather expensive equipment. According to the patients, the accuracy of the result, the painlessness and safety of the research is what makes the procedure more popular every day.

Conclusion

Thus, MRI of the knee joint, although considered a safe procedure, but before you go to it, you need to weigh the pros and cons. You can also consult with a specialist in this field. It is also important to find a good clinic where the MRI of the knee is performed. It is important to have the resuscitation equipment in it, if the procedure is accompanied by the introduction of a contrast agent.