X-Rays for Knee Injuries
X-rays will show clear images of your bones and any injuries that they could present, like fractures or fissures. However, sometimes knee accidents affect soft tissue structures inside the joint, such as cartilage, tendons, or ligaments.
In some cases, x-rays can give doctors indirect information about these soft tissues, like narrowed joint space or bone spur formation. This data could be enough to make judgements about the overall condition of the joint and decide treatment.
MRI for Knee Injuries
If your x-rays are essentially normal, but your symptoms persist and point to a soft tissue injury, an MRI will provide the necessary information to assess your case.
Nonetheless, you should consider that MRIs tend to be more expensive and take more time than a regular x-ray. Most of the time, doctors will first conduct x-rays before determining whether MRIs are needed.
Some of the most common reasons to order a knee MRI are:
- Persistent symptoms despite taking ibuprofen and/or undergoing physical therapy
- Swelling and pain after a pivoting injury
- Painful clicking or buckling of the knee
- Sudden or intermittent inability to fully straighten your knee
- Feelings of instability and slipping of the knee
And overall, any sign that there could be an important soft tissue injury inside your joint.
Which One Is Right for Me?
Sadly, there is no one-answer-fits-all when it comes to joint injuries. Depending on your problem, cause, age group, and pre-existing conditions, your doctor will determine which one is the best option to evaluate your knee.
Let’s explore a couple of examples to better understand the nuances in this type of situation.
Example #1, Middle-Aged Golfer
“I did something to my knee while playing golf and now it hurts. Should I get an MRI?”
While several factors must still be considered, the quickest answer is to not get an MRI since it won’t be helpful—at least not at first. X-rays can be used in these cases to identify arthritis and other similar issues, if applicable. However, an injury of this nature will probably be very common and can be addressed with regular anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and perhaps steroid injections.
Now, if these methods do not work and x-rays do not show arthritis, an MRI could show your doctor additional information that could be helpful to determine treatment.
Example #2, High School Soccer Player
“I twisted my knee and now it’s really swollen and it hurts. Should I get an MRI?”
In a situation like this, an MRI can not only be useful in the present time, but also help prevent future complications. For young people who shouldn’t have much degeneration inside their knees, MRIs can give a deeper, more accurate look inside the joint. Pathologies found in younger age groups have a higher likelihood of requiring intervention in order to avoid further damage.
Diagnose and Treat Your Knee Injury in Georgia
If you hurt your knee, a joint specialist will help you explore your options, get an accurate diagnosis, and receive comprehensive treatment. At Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, we offer the best care for your mobility issues, so you can restore strength and go back to your routine.
You can call our offices or book an appointment online at any of our two Georgia locations.
