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J Knee Surg 2008; 21(1): 27-33
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247788
Original Article

© 2008 Thieme Medical Publishers

Abnormal Findings on Knee Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Asymptomatic NBA Players

Brian E. Walczak1 , Patrick C. McCulloch4 , Richard W. Kang1 , Anthony Zelazny2 , Fred Tedeschi3 , Brian J. Cole1
  • 1The Department of Orthopedics, Chicago, Ill
  • 2The Department of Radiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Ill
  • 3Head Athletic Trainer, Chicago Bulls NBA Basketball Team, Chicago, Ill
  • 4The Department of Orthopedics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 January 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knees of asymptomatic National Basketball Association (NBA) players via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirm or dispute findings reported in the previous literature. It is thought that a variety of significant abnormalities affecting the knee exist in asymptomatic patients and that these findings can be accurately identified on MRI. Two months prior to the 2005 season, bilateral knee MRI examinations of 14 asymptomatic NBA players (28 knees) were evaluated for abnormalities of the articular cartilage, menisci, and patellar and quadriceps tendons. The presence of joint effusion, subchondral edema, and cystic lesions and the integrity of the collateral and cruciate ligaments were also assessed.