Cruciate and posterolateral corner injuries in the athlete: Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features

With an increasing number of people participating in recreational and competitive sporting activities, sports-related injuries of the knee and knee ligaments have increased in incidence. The extent and severity of such injuries may have important impliations with regard to potential return to atheletic pursuits as well as impacting upon activities of daily life. This article discusses the MR imaging and clinical features of sports-related injuries of the cruciate ligaments and posterolateral corner of the knee, highlighting the implications of such injuries on joint function. MR imaging has the potential to accurately identify these ligamentous injuries, as well as other potential associated combined injuries of the knee, with information from MR imaging examination assisting in decision-making and planning with regard to potential clinical and/or surgical patient management.