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Abstract The Knee joint is one of the most commonly injured parts of our body with high incidence of referral to radiology department, with pathologies commonly encountered in our daily work. US has an evolving role in the diagnosis of knee joint post traumatic derangements, having a low cost, wide availability, excellent patient acceptance, dynamic capabilities and bedside availability. It also gives the opportunity to compare with the other side, extending the field of view upwards and downwards, assessing meticulously the maximum point of tenderness and dynamic exam capabilities. US is excellent in assessment of peri articular soft tissue injuries namely the quadriceps and patellar tendons, medial collateral ligament, iliotibial band as well as the skin and subcutaneous tissues injuries. It also showed good results in assessment of the knee menisci, joint effusion and hematoma. Still some limitations concerning ultrasonographic assessment of the cruciate ligaments and the injured bones are encountered. According to the clinical examination and the provisional diagnosis, we can determine the usefulness of US assessment. US can be a first line investigation when suspecting hematoma, collateral ligaments injury, menisci and tendons injury as well joint effusion/hemarthrosis. MRI can be reserved for selected cases as in cruciate ligaments injury, meniscus injury if not proven by US and suspected bony injury not detected by radiography, thus limiting the costs and burden on the patient. |