Diagnostic Knee Tests for Determining Nature of Painful Injury

If you experience chronic pain in your knee resulting from movement then you may need a medical procedure for this pain’s relief.

Several diagnostic tests are available to pinpoint your painful knee cause. Depending on the your description of pain and a physical exam by your medical care provider will make a difference as to which test will best evaluate the nature of your knee problem.

Some of the more commonly used tests include:

X-Ray is a procedure to produce a two dimensional picture of the bones.

CAT scan is a painless procedure in which a computer combines individual images to give a three-dimensional view of the knee. CAT scan images show soft tissue such as ligaments or muscles more clearly than conventional x rays.
Bone scan is a technique for creating images of bones. A harmless radioactive material is injected into your bloodstream that collects in your bones, particularly in abnormal areas of the bones which is detected by a scanner.

MRI is a procedure using a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create pictures of areas inside the knee. An MRI is particularly useful for detecting soft tissue damage.

Arthroscopy is a surgical technique in which an arthroscope is inserted into the joint through a small incision in the knee for projecting images of the inside of the knee joint.

Joint aspiration is a procedure that uses a syringe to remove fluid buildup in a joint, and can reduce swelling and relieve pressure. This fluid is analyzed to determine the presence of a fracture, an infection, or an inflammatory response.

Biopsy is the examination of a piece of tissue under the microscope.

So there you have it. Various ways to get to bottom of your pain. Now for some common and uncommon causes of your knee pain.

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