Knee X-ray (musculoskeletal imaging in primary care)

Knee Xray

• chronic knee pain warrants x-ray examination at any age
  
  
• in the >50 age group x-ray examination must be performed before requesting an MRI as the former can highlight OA, which is often the major contributor to symptoms despite concurrent meniscal or ligamentous abnormality
  
  
• anterior knee pain with suspected injury to the extensor mechanism (quadriceps and patellar tendons) or lump necessitates ultrasound examination first

Notes:

General Indications for x-ray examination

• Bony tenderness
• Inability to weight-bear
• Acute joint pain
• Gross joint deformity
• Acute spinal pain in elderly (to rule out osteoporotic wedge fracture)

Reference:

• 1) Arthritis Research UK (Summer 2013). Hands on - Musculoskeletal imaging for GPs.