One in three doctor visits for joint issues involves the knee. As one of the body’s most important joints, the knee bears heavy loads and supports independence throughout life – from running and play in youth, to work and competition in adulthood, to walking, climbing stairs, and staying mobile in older age. For athletes, it is the foundation of performance.

                  
Yet the knee is complex and vulnerable. It is among the most frequently injured joints in both sports and daily life. Female athletes face a 2- to 8-fold higher risk of knee injuries than males, attributed to anatomic, biologic, and kinematic factors. Problems can result from sudden trauma, repeated overuse, or training strain. Conditions such as patellar misalignment, ligament tears, or meniscal damage are particularly burdensome. They cause pain, instability, and restricted movement, limiting performance and daily function while increasing the risk of long-term joint degeneration.

Currently, a diagnostic gap challenges physicians in selecting the right treatment. Standard imaging is static, capturing the knee at rest, which can miss underlying problems. As a result, treatment may be delayed or suboptimal, leading to longer recovery, higher risk of re-injury, and increased degeneration. What is needed is imaging of the knee in motion, revealing how bones, muscles, and connective tissues interact during activity to support informed clinical decisions.

Movement.MRI addresses this need by visualizing the knee dynamically. Unlike conventional imaging, it captures real-time motion, providing radiologists with detailed MRI images for interpretation and supporting orthopedic and musculoskeletal (MSK) surgeons in precise treatment and surgical planning.

The project has developed a working prototype, which has been tested with real patients, and completed a small feasibility study with clinicians. The goal is to deliver a clinical tool that enhances diagnostic accuracy for orthopedists, sports physicians, and physiotherapists, guiding surgical planning, tracking rehabilitation progress, and enabling personalized treatment strategies.

Looking ahead, the same technology could extend to other joints and musculoskeletal conditions, establishing a new standard for dynamic joint assessment and broadening the scope of personalized musculoskeletal care.

The team combines experts in knee biomechanics and joint surgery from Charité and Canada with imaging and technology specialists from University Hospital Jena, ensuring the solution is both clinically and technically robust.