Sharpening the picture: new MRI technique could spot hidden knee injuries

This study tested a new MRI technique called diffusion tractography to better diagnose partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. Standard MRI often cannot tell how severe a partial tear is, making treatment decisions difficult. Researchers enrolled 30 adults with knee injuries and used the new scan to measure a score called the anisotropy coefficient, which may indicate the degree of damage. The goal is to improve diagnosis and guide whether a patient needs surgery or physical therapy.