Diagnostic Tests and Imaging: When Do You Need to Undergo a Knee MRI?

When you injure a joint in your body, such as the knee, you're not only looking at pain and problems associated with the knee joint, but with the rest of the body as well. After a knee injury occurs, there will be more pressure placed on the hips and the back to support the body’s weight and to keep it stable. Muscles located in the legs can also become stretched as they have to work harder to support the leg of the injured knee. 

As soon as you experience any kind of pain in the knee or swelling, it's important to seek the help of a doctor so that an MRI and other diagnostic tests can be performed. A ligament could be torn or stretched, or the cartilage in the knee could be torn. Sometimes, the damage that has taken place can heal on its own with a bit of physical therapy, but there are instances when the damage could be so severe that it requires surgery to correct.

Knee injuries are commonly seen in athletic or physically active individuals. It's easy to turn and twist the knee in ways that will tear the meniscus and cartilage. Once a diagnosis has been made with an MRI, the doctor can determine whether you will be able to play sports again or if there will be issues when you play or move in the future. Whether you undergo surgery or let the knee injury heal on its own as advised by your doctor, there will be a decrease in the mobility of the knee joint. The muscles, ligaments, and other components of the knee will likely remain under at least some pressure for months or even years in the future with the potential for another injury at a higher risk of complications than before.

Source:

What Are Knee Problems?, NIAMS.nih.gov