Knee and MRI

Due to high activity, load, as well as other external and internal factors, knee joints can be affected by a variety of pathological processes. The most common are the so-called degenerative-dystrophic conditions (gonarthrosis as posttraumatic, and idiopathic - that is, arisen for an unknown reason) and arthritis (rheumatic, infectious). Also, medicine knows of various cartilage lesions - chondropathies - caused by both mechanical factors and genetic predisposition.

Often, unfortunately, and cancer processes in this anatomical area. Some diseases, for example, clotting disorders (primarily hemophilia) cause permanent extensive bleeding into the joint cavity. This condition is called hemarthrosis. I must say that the knee joints are one of the most active joints in the human musculoskeletal system, together with the hip joints, they carry the weight of the whole body on a daily basis. That is why in obese people gonarthrosis develops first of all - very quickly "wears out" and cartilage is destroyed. On the other hand, the "activity" of the knee joints causes their frequent injuries. Among the most common injuries are ruptures of ligaments and menisci.

Diagnosis of knee problems

Of course, any treatment should be preceded by a diagnosis. One of the most effective methods of diagnosing injuries and diseases affecting the knee joints is MRI - magnetic resonance imaging. This is a widespread and safe modern medical technology, it is actively used in a variety of clinics around the world. And its inventors P. Mansfield and P. Loterbur received in 2003 the Nobel Prize. MRI of the knee joint allows you to visualize the smallest anatomical details, to detect early signs of pathological changes (especially in cartilage). Each element of the joint can be viewed at an arbitrary magnification and in the required projection. The technology allows you to "remove" the kneecap (patella) with a layered survey, gaining access to any internal structure.

How not to make a mistake?

Examination of knee joints must be carefully and comprehensively. In American medicine, even a special term "vomit" appeared (in Russian - vomiting). It is composed of the first letters of the phrase, which can be translated thus: "victim of medical visualization technology." This is the name of doctors who make diagnostic errors, overly trusting tomograms and images and neglecting clinical examination, talking with the patient, an integrated systemic approach.

Regardless of the advantages and possibilities of MRI, the physician should carefully examine the patient, perform a so-called physical examination of the joint (ie, check various symptoms and signs of disease), prescribe general and biochemical blood and urine tests, and begin visualizing the joint with radiography. And only after all of the above is assigned a magnetic resonance imaging.

The most important, perhaps the main advantage of MRI is that it allows you to obtain clear images of so-called soft tissue structures - menisci and knee joints are referred to . It is these images, along with the above studies, that allow the doctor to put the correct correct diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment.

In conclusion, the only contraindication to MRI is the presence of implants and pacemakers in the body, as well as the I trimester of pregnancy. The patient is not exposed to radioactive irradiation during the study, but lasts only 30-40 minutes. The technological feature of the MRI device is a loud sharp noise. To be frightened of it it is not necessary. We will also add that there are no complications during and after this procedure.