Normal Knee MRI Report Template

Normal knee MRI report template: menisci, cruciate and collateral ligaments, compartment-by-compartment cartilage, extensor mechanism and marrow signal.

EXAMINATION: MRI [right/left] knee without intravenous contrast.

CLINICAL HISTORY: [indication]

COMPARISON: None available.

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multisequence MR imaging of the [right/left]
knee without intravenous contrast.

FINDINGS:
Menisci: The medial and lateral menisci are normal in morphology and
signal. No tear.
Cruciate ligaments: The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are
intact, with normal course and signal.
Collateral ligaments: The medial collateral ligament and lateral
collateral ligament complex are intact.
Cartilage: Articular cartilage is preserved in the medial, lateral and
patellofemoral compartments. No full-thickness defect.
Extensor mechanism: The quadriceps and patellar tendons are intact. The
patella is normally positioned.
Bones: Normal marrow signal. No fracture, contusion or osteochondral
lesion.
Joint fluid: No significant joint effusion. No popliteal cyst.
Soft tissues: Unremarkable.

IMPRESSION:
1. Normal MRI of the [right/left] knee. No meniscal tear or ligament
injury.

Dictation notes

• Report a meniscal tear by location, plane and whether it reaches an articular surface — “tear” alone cannot be scheduled for surgery.
• Look at the posterior medial meniscal root on every coronal series; a root tear with extrusion behaves like a total meniscectomy and is the premier knee MRI miss.
• A bone contusion pattern is a mechanism fingerprint — pivot shift edema should send you back to the ACL before you call it intact.

Frequently asked questions

What structures does a knee MRI report cover?

A structured knee MRI report covers the medial and lateral menisci, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, the collateral ligament complexes, articular cartilage in the medial, lateral and patellofemoral compartments, the extensor mechanism (quadriceps and patellar tendons, patellar position), marrow signal, joint fluid including popliteal cyst, and soft tissues. The normal impression states no meniscal tear or ligament injury.

How should a meniscal tear be described on knee MRI?

A meniscal tear should be reported by location (which meniscus, which third), tear plane (horizontal, vertical, radial, complex), and whether abnormal signal reaches an articular surface — the criterion that separates a true tear from intrasubstance degeneration. 'Tear' alone cannot be scheduled for surgery. The posterior medial meniscal root deserves a dedicated look on every coronal series: a root tear with extrusion behaves biomechanically like a total meniscectomy and is a premier miss.

What does a bone contusion pattern on knee MRI signify?

A bone marrow contusion pattern is a fingerprint of the injury mechanism. The classic pivot-shift pattern — edema in the lateral femoral condyle and posterolateral tibial plateau — accompanies anterior cruciate ligament rupture, so finding it should send the reader back to the ACL before calling the ligament intact. Recognizing the pattern also directs attention to the associated injuries each mechanism produces, such as meniscal and posterolateral corner damage.

← All report templates