Knee series

Changed by Andrew Murphy, 14 Nov 2019

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The knee series is a set of radiographs taken to investigate knee joint pathology, often in the context of trauma. It usually comprises an AP and lateral projection, although other non-standard, modified projections can be used for specific indications.

See also knee radiograph (an approach).

Indications

Knee radiographs are indicated for a variety of settings including 1,2:

Projections

Standard projections
  • AP view
    • demonstrates the distal femur, proximal tibia/fibula and the patella in the AP position
    • ideal projection to assess the tibial plateau and tibiofemoral alignment  
  • horizontal beam lateral view

    • orthogonal projection to the AP, routinely done in trauma horizontal beam to better demonstrate any joint effusions
    • ideal projection to assess lipohaemarthrosis
    • used to examine the location of the patella and the patency of the patella tendon
Additional projections
  • rolled lateral view
    • often performed on bed-bound patients with suspected arthritis
    • orthogonal view of the AP projection
    • demonstrate the joint space, yet sacrifices any assessment of fluid levels
  • skyline (Merchant view)
    • superior-inferior projection of the patella.This is an ideal projection for patients that are better suited in the supine position.
  • skyline (Laurine view)
    • inferior-superior projection of the patella. This projection is best suited to patients able to maintain a semi-recumbent position on the examination table.
  • knee AP weight-bearing view
    • often used in the context of orthopaedic appointments to obtain images of the knees in their natural anatomical position.
  • knee intercondylar view
    • view utilised to demonstrate intercondylar space, often used for OA and suspected tibial plateau fractures 
  • Rosenberg's view
    • weight bearing projection used to assess joint space-related pathology such as osteoarthritis 
  • oblique view
    • two views (internal and external) better demonstrating the knee joint in the absence of CT 
  • -<li>rolled lateral view<ul>
  • +<li>
  • +<a title="Knee (lateral view)" href="/articles/knee-lateral-view">rolled lateral view</a><ul>

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