Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the painful total knee arthroplasty.

Overview

Optimization of metal artifact reduction pulse sequences over the past decade has rendered MRI valuable in knee arthroplasty assessment. MRI can reliably predict the presence and extent of infection, component loosening and polyethylene wear, and component malrotation, and it can evaluate the integrity of surrounding soft tissue structures. Using dynamic contrast-enhanced angiographic techniques, vascular pathology such as pseudoaneurysm formation and recurrent hemarthrosis can also be assessed.