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Imaging of Orthopedic Sports Injuries pp 283–305Cite as

Knee: Ligaments

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Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

17.4 Conclusion

MRI plays a key role in the assessment of suspected ligamentous disruption of the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most important stabilising structures of the knee, and is frequently injured in contact sports and skiing. Successful rehabilitation of the sports related anterior cruciate ligament injury is dependent on accurate diagnosis, leading to appropriate surgical stabilisation. In the presence of anterior cruciate ligament injury, assessment of associated meniscal and posterolateral corner injury are also vital. Disruptions of the posterior cruciate ligament are less common but also important for stable knee function. Most injuries to the collateral ligaments can be treated conservatively, though acute disruptions of the medial collateral ligament can lead to a fixed flexion ‘locked’ knee mimicking a bucket handle tear.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Radiology, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, NHS Trust, Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK

    Eugene G. McNally MD (Consultant Musculoskeletal Radiologist)

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  1. Eugene G. McNally MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat, 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium

    Filip M. Vanhoenacker MD, PhD  & Jan L. Gielen MD, PhD  & 

  2. Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Centre, Meibergdreef, 9, Suite C1-210, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Mario Maas MD, PhD

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McNally, E.G. (2007). Knee: Ligaments. In: Vanhoenacker, F.M., Maas, M., Gielen, J.L. (eds) Imaging of Orthopedic Sports Injuries. Medical Radiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68201-1_17

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