Diagnostics of sports injuries

The mechanism of knee injury, swelling after injury and current pain give important information about which structures of the knee can be injured.

A detailed and well performed clinical examination is the most important pillar of diagnostics. Here the extent and degree of injury can be already well identified.

A variety of diagnostic tests are used to assess the integrity of structures and identify injuries to the cartilage, meniscus, bone or ligaments.

Radiographs (anterior-posterior and lateral, patellar skyline view) are the primary imaging in patients after knee injuries.

These help to identify fractures or bony avulsions.

In contract to conventional radiographs MRI is the imaging of choice for suspected injuries to the meniscus, cartilage or ligaments. 

Here you find an image of a knee after ACL reconstruction.

In special cases, such as after previous surgery, additional imaging can be helpful to establish the correct diagnosis.

SPECT/CT a combination of a 3D scintigraphy (SPECT) and a computerized tomography (CT) can be useful in cases when a biological problem (e.g. chronic synovitis due to degradation of resorbable screws) is suspected.

Stress radiographs can be helpful in cases of a chronic or multidirectional instability.