Knee pain is one of the most common types of injuries, and if your healthcare provider wants to see if you have a torn ACL, they will likely recommend a knee MRI scan.
The results from your knee MRI help your doctor determine the best course of treatment for your injury. A knee MRI is the best way to see exactly the location and extent of the tissue damage from a torn ACL.
In this article, we’ll show you:
- Why you may need a knee MRI for a knee injury
- How an MRI helps diagnose a torn ACL
- What you can expect during your knee MRI appointment.
- How your MRI results guide your care plan
Why you need a knee MRI if you might have a torn ACL
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) helps stabilize the knee, connecting the thigh bone to the shin. An injury to the ACL often occurs during sports that includes sudden movements or changes in direction.
A knee MRI provides clear detailed images of the soft tissues surrounding the knee. It reveals swelling and tears of the ligament, to help your doctor assess the extent of the damage.
What does an MRI scan show my healthcare provider about my knee?
A knee MRI uses detailed images to show the location and extent of damage to the knee and surrounding tissues.
Your MRI results can show:
- Inflammation in the joint.
- Fluid buildup or effusion.
- Tears in ligaments, cartilage, or tendons that may be contributing to knee pain.
By identifying the root cause of your injury, an MRI provides a roadmap for effective treatment.
How does a knee MRI image the ACL?
A knee MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the structures inside your knee, including the ACL.
The ACL appears as a dark band running diagonally within the knee joint, and the MRI can reveal tears, swelling, or other abnormalities.
Key insights from a knee MRI include:
- Whether the ACL is intact, partially torn, or fully torn.
- Swelling or fluid buildup around the ACL.
- Associated injuries to other ligaments or cartilage.
What info does a knee MRI provide about cartilage, tendons, and other soft tissues?
A knee MRI provides detailed information about the surrounding structures including:
- Cartilage integrity (e.g., meniscus damage).
- Tendons and their condition.
- Swelling, inflammation, or fluid buildup.
- Other soft tissues
Confirming a suspected ACL tear
While a physical exam can help confirm or rule out a suspected ACL tear, a knee MRI can provide images that show the exact location of the injury, and the extent of the damage.
How does a knee MRI scan show whether my ACL is torn?
A knee MRI uses magnetic fields to take a series of images that can show whether your ACL is torn.
The scan shows the ligament in detail, and images of tears or damage to the ligament are seen on the scan as different from healthy tissue.
A radiologist will interpret your MRI results. and share the information with your doctor, to help determine the next steps in addressing your knee pain.
What details does a knee MRI reveal about an ACL tear?
A knee MRI can reveal the extent and location of an ACL tear, and whether it is partial or complete.
Your knee MRI results show any disruption in the ligament’s fibers, abnormal alignment, or changes in its thickness. It also highlights associated damage, like bone bruises, swelling in surrounding tissues, or injuries to other parts of your knee.
Fluid build-up in the knee joint, often present with an ACL tear, is also visible on MRI results.
Can an MRI see other injuries that accompany a torn ACL?
Yes, an MRI can detect other injuries that often occur alongside a torn ACL. These may include tears or damage to the meniscus, which acts as a cushion between the bones in your knee.
It can also reveal sprains or tears in other ligaments, like the MCL or the LCL, as well as inflammation in the surrounding soft tissues.
Knee MRI imaging can also determine if your knee is misaligned or unstable following your injury.
Getting ready for your knee MRI scan
Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions to follow, tailored to your specific MRI scan, to ensure that you get the most accurate available results. So be sure to follow your provider’s instructions.
Here’s what you can do to prepare for your upcoming knee MRI appointment.
How should I get ready for my knee MRI appointment?
Be sure to avoid wearing anything with metal, including zippers or jewelry, as metal objects can interfere with your MRI results.
Depending on the scan you’re getting, your provider may give you specific instructions about eating or drinking before the scan, or about taking medications.
What should I expect during a knee MRI scan?
You may be asked to change into a gown for the scan and to remove any metal objects.
Once you’re ready, you will lie down on a padded table that will slide feet first into the MRI machine. Only the lower part of your body will be in the scanner.
The technologist will ask you to hold still so the images are clear. You may hear clicking, knocking, or other noises from the machine, which is completely normal.
During your MRI, you’ll be able to communicate with the technologist at all times during the scan, using an intercom inside the MRI machine.
How long does a knee MRI scan typically take? How long will my results take?
The duration of the scan itself can vary, but typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your circumstances.
Images from your MRI scan will be read by a radiologist, who is a medical professional trained to read scan results, and who will put together a report with your MRI results.
The radiologist will share the report with your doctor, who will then contact you, within about a week.
Helping your healthcare provider create a treatment plan
Your knee MRI results are vital because your doctor will use them to create your treatment plan, if they confirm you have a torn ACL.
Along with the results of your physical exam, your MRI results will help your doctor to create an effective plan for your care.
How does a knee MRI show my provider whether surgery might be needed?
A knee MRI can show whether surgery might be needed by showing the exact location and extent of an ACL tear.
This allows your doctor to see whether surgery or other approaches are most appropriate to address the injury.
How can an MRI help my provider see the best treatment options for my injury?
An MRI allows them to see how stable the knee joint is, and whether other structures like the other ligaments also need treatment.
This information is critical in deciding whether you need surgery, physical therapy, or other treatments.
Your MRI results can also reveal how much healing has already occurred if it’s a chronic injury. By tailoring the treatment plan to your specific injury, an MRI helps ensure the best possible outcome for your recovery.
What can my MRI results tell my doctor about my recovery time and rehabilitation needs?
Your MRI results can help your doctor to predict how long it may take for your knee to heal, and whether you’ll need surgery, or if you can recover with physical therapy.
An MRI scan also identifies factors like swelling or inflammation that may affect how quickly you regain strength and mobility.
With this information, your doctor can create a rehab plan tailored to your specific needs, helping you recover as quickly and as safely as possible.
How to schedule your ultrasound appointment with us
Touchstone Medical Imaging offers MRIs in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Reach out to us at Touchstone, and we’ll help you schedule an appointment at an imaging center near you, today.
We’re here to help you get the answers you need.
Frequently asked questions
A: An MRI provides detailed images of your knee’s structures, helping confirm an ACL tear and guide treatment.
A: An MRI shows detailed images of bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues, providing a comprehensive view of your knee’s condition.
A: It captures detailed cross-sectional images that display the ACL’s condition, including any tears or abnormalities.
A: Yes, it can reveal related injuries, such as damage to cartilage, menisci, or other ligaments.
A: It shows the extent of the damage and whether the tear requires surgical repair or can be treated non-surgically.
A: The scan helps your provider plan a treatment strategy and estimate recovery time based on the injury’s severity.
A: The procedure is painless, takes about 30–60 minutes, and requires you to lie still while the scanner captures images.
A: Wear comfortable clothing, avoid metal objects, and follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider.