Diagnostic Imaging for Knee Pain

Indications for Imaging

• Initial radiographs should be reserved for chronic knee pain, acute trauma meeting evidence-based criteria, or suspected fracture or degenerative changes, as recommended by the American College of Radiology 1
• MRI should be considered only when surgery is being considered, or pain persists despite adequate conservative treatment, or initial radiographs are normal but symptoms persist, according to the American College of Radiology 1
• Ultrasound is useful for detecting synovial pathology, as suggested by the American College of Radiology 1