To describe the normal ultrasound anatomy of the visible knee structures. To show the most common acute traumatic changes and chronic microtrauma-overuse syndromes of the knee structures. To identify the advantages of the method.

Knee injuries are very common in all age groups, and a major problem especially in athletes, requiring quick and adequate diagnosis. Increasing use of linear transducers with high frequency becomes a great advantage in evaluating acute and chronic knee injuries. The major benefits of the method are its cost and availability compared to MRI, comparison with contralateral knee, and very high resolution demonstration of superficial tissues. Most of the superficial soft tissue structures as well as some of the bone parts are easily recognizable and...

Suprapatellar recess is localized deep to the quadriceps tendon, between the suprapatellar and prefemoral fat pad. There is a physiological, small amount of anechoic fluid within the recess in normal knee (Fig.1). Ultrasound is sensitive in detecting very small amount of effusion in suprapatellar and parapatellar recesses. Quantity of the effusion can be a predictor of the degree of trauma(Fig.2). Quality of the effusion is also important. Hemarthrosis could be an accurate sign for severe intra-articular trauma of the knee, while lipohemarthrosis can be a...

Although MR of the knee remains the gold standard in knee trauma evaluation, ultrasound could play very important role in establishing diagnosis, especially in more superficial, easily accessible parts of the knee. Sufficient knowledge of normal knee ultrasound anatomy and most common traumatic changes is essential for fast and precise diagnosis.

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