Finding the right tests…
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Emergency services available 24 x 7
Finding the right tests…
MRI
A right knee that's swollen, unstable, or won't fully bear weight after an injury is the usual reason this scan gets ordered. It captures the right knee's internal structures in detail - the ACL and PCL, the collateral ligaments on each side, the medial and lateral meniscus, cartilage, and tendons - without opening the joint. Doctors reach for this scan when a specific injury or exam finding points to the right side, rather than needing both knees checked together. There's no ionizing radiation involved, since MRI relies on magnets and radio waves instead of X-rays. What the images show usually shapes whether you need physiotherapy, bracing, or surgery.
This scan images the ligaments, meniscus, cartilage, and tendons of your right knee. It's used to check for a torn ACL or PCL, a meniscus tear, cartilage wear, or fluid within the joint. Your doctor combines these findings with how the knee behaves on examination to plan next steps.
A right knee MRI covers just the right side - the ACL, PCL, and collateral ligaments, both menisci, the cartilage surfaces, and the tendons crossing the joint.
This is the version ordered when a specific injury, like a twist during sport or a fall, has already pointed to the right knee. It's a shorter study than imaging both knees, which doctors reserve for cases needing side-to-side comparison or suspected problems in both joints.
- ACL or PCL tears, often from a sudden twist or pivot - Meniscus tears, sometimes alongside a ligament injury - Cartilage damage or early wear - Joint swelling or fluid collection
Meniscus tears are among the more common findings on knee MRI, and how reliably MRI picks them up differs somewhat between the medial and lateral meniscus, based on comparisons against arthroscopy. Your doctor will walk you through what your specific images show.
When the injury or pain is clearly on one side, imaging just that knee is faster and still gives your doctor everything needed to plan treatment. Both knees are scanned together only when comparison is useful.
No. It uses a magnetic field and radio waves, not X-rays, so there's no radiation exposure.
Yes, meniscus tears are among the most common findings on a knee MRI. Detection is generally reliable, though it can vary depending on which meniscus and where the tear sits.
Usually not. Contrast is only used if your doctor has a specific reason to request it.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
You'll lie still on a table that slides into the scanner, and the machine makes loud tapping or thumping sounds during scanning. Ask the centre if earplugs or headphones are provided.
Remove metal jewelry, watches, and anything with metal before the scan. Ask your doctor or the centre about preparation specific to you, especially if you have any implants.
It gives your doctor detailed images of ligaments, meniscus, and cartilage, which helps guide that decision. The final call on surgery is your doctor's, based on the scan plus your symptoms and exam.