Q1: My knee locks or catches when I bend it. Should I get an MRI?
Yes. Locking or catching may indicate meniscus tears, cartilage fragments, ligament injuries, or early osteoarthritis. X-rays cannot detect soft tissue injuries causing mechanical symptoms. MRI provides high-resolution, radiation-free images of meniscus, cartilage, ligaments, and bones to identify the exact cause.

Q2: Can physiotherapy or anti-inflammatories fix locking or catching without MRI?
These measures may relieve symptoms temporarily but cannot confirm underlying structural injuries. Without MRI, serious meniscus or ligament damage may go undiagnosed, prolonging pain and mechanical dysfunction.

Q3: What are the risks of delaying MRI for knee locking or catching?
Delaying MRI may allow meniscus or ligament injuries to worsen, leading to chronic pain, repeated locking, instability, and long-term cartilage damage. Early MRI ensures timely, targeted non-surgical management.

Q4: Why is MRI better than X-ray, CT, or ultrasound for these knee symptoms?
X-rays detect only bone changes, CT has limited soft tissue resolution, and ultrasound may miss deep meniscus or ligament injuries. MRI provides comprehensive, radiation-free imaging of all knee structures for precise diagnosis.

Q5: Where can I get a fast, affordable MRI for knee locking or catching?
The Pain Relief Clinic offers insurance and Medisave claimable MRI scans under $1,000, completed within 1 working day, with non-surgical treatments to restore knee function and prevent further damage.