imaging studies

Last reviewed 01/2018

imaging studies

Radiographs of knee in MCL injuries should be ordered according to the Ottawa knee rules:

• any of five criteria listed below id sufficient to order an x ray

• patient aged ≥55 years
• isolated tenderness of the patellar (no bony tenderness of the knee other than the patellar)
• tenderness at the head of the fibula
• inability to flex kness to 900
• inability to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency department for 4 steps (1)

• stress radiographs can be done in children to rule out physeal injuries

T2 - weighted MRI is considered to be the gold standard in diagnosing MCL injuries(1)

Reference:

• (1) Duffy PS, Miyamoto RG. Management of medial collateral ligament injuries in the knee: an update and review. Phys Sportsmed. 2010;38(2):48-54