Body area guide · MRI

Knee MRI: what it shows and how to get your images explained

A knee MRI produces detailed images of the structures of the knee, including the menisci, ligaments, tendons and cartilage. This guide explains how to choose images from a knee MRI for an AI explanation and what that explanation can and cannot tell you.

Go to the MRI upload form

What a knee MRI looks at

Menisci. Two cartilage pads between the thigh bone and the shin bone that cushion the joint and help carry weight.

Cruciate ligaments (ACL, PCL). The two ligaments that cross inside the joint. They stabilise the knee and limit how far the shin bone can move forwards or backwards.

Collateral ligaments (MCL, LCL). The ligaments on the inner (MCL) and outer (LCL) side of the knee. They stabilise it and limit excessive sideways movement.

Articular cartilage. The cartilage that covers the joint surfaces of the bones.

Tendons, fluid and cysts. Tendons around the knee, a build-up of fluid in the joint (effusion) and a Baker's cyst at the back of the knee.

Series names in the folder

Series names differ between centres. The DICOM viewer and the upload step show images, not series names, so if you know which series you are using, note it in the form.

How to prepare your knee MRI for the analysis

Get the DICOM files.Use the disc or USB stick you were given, or download the study from the hospital's patient portal. A folder with a DICOMDIR file and many files without an extension is normal.
Look through the images.The free DICOM viewer opens up to 200 files in your browser; scroll, zoom and adjust brightness and contrast to find the area your question is about. It shows images, not series names. Open the DICOM viewer
Upload the folder on the MRI page.The files are converted in your browser, and you then see the images to choose from. Go to the MRI upload form
Pick up to 10 images.Choose images from the area your question is about; if your written report or referral mentions a location, start there. One analysis reads up to 10 images together, from one series or several; to have more images explained, start another analysis.
Add context.Enter the age and, in the notes, which knee (left or right), what happened (a twist, a fall, gradual pain) and what you want to understand. You can attach the written report (PDF or photo) as context.

What you get

A report with a plain-language explanation next to the clinical sections (Clinical Summary, Findings, Impression and Next Steps & Recommendations), which you can download as PDF or Word. You can then ask follow-up questions in a chat attached to the report. A new free account includes one free analysis.

See a demonstration MRI report

What the analysis cannot do

It only sees the images you pick. A knee study holds hundreds of slices, and a small change may be visible on only a few of them. If those slices are not selected, the analysis cannot comment on them.

It is not a diagnosis. The explanation helps you understand the images and prepare questions. It is not reviewed by a radiologist or a doctor and does not replace your radiologist's report.

Earlier scans are not compared automatically. Unless you add earlier images or reports as context, change over time cannot be assessed.

Metal implants. They can cause artefacts and make parts of the images harder to assess.

Terms you may see on a knee MRI report

Meniscal tear: A tear in one of the two menisci, the cartilage pads that cushion the knee.
Joint effusion: A build-up of more fluid than usual inside the joint.
Baker's cyst (popliteal cyst): A fluid-filled swelling at the back of the knee.

More MRI terms (T1/T2, FLAIR, fat saturation) on the MRI page

Have your knee MRI files?

Upload them on the MRI page: choose the images, add context and get the explanation.