tmo

Knees are Tofu: MRI Results

I got my MRI report this morning. I'll see if I can do anything to scan the films and get some of the better pictures up to accompany this text.

Boston Open MRI LLC
The Diagnostic Edge

Date of Exam: 07/03/2003
Exam Type: Left Knee MRI
Referring Physician: Dr. Meeks
Clinical History: Knee pain. Evaluate for ACL tear.

Technique:
Sagittal proton density with and without fat-supression, coronal T1, T2, axial fat-supressed proton density, and T2 sequences were performed on the left knee.

This examination was performed on a 0.3-tesla Hitachi Aris II open magnet system.

Findings:
There is an osteochondral fracture along the weightbearing portion of the lateral femoral condyle with subjacent marrow edema. Focal bone marrow edema is also noted in the posterior aspect of the medial tibial plateau. A moderate-size joint effusion is seen.

The ACL is abnormal. There is a loss of the homogenous dark signal of fibers of the anterior cruciate ligament consistent with an ACL tear. The PCL is intact. The quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon are homogenously dark.

The lateral collateral ligament complex and medial collateral ligament are normal.

Both medial and lateral menisci are homogenously dark without evidence of a meiscal tear.

The patellofemoral relationship is normal.

There is no evidence of chondromalacia patella. A tiny popliteal cyst is noted in the posterolateral aspect of the joint.

Impression:
1 - ACL Tear
2 - Osteochondral fracture, lateral femoral condyle, with bony contusion posterior aspect of the medial tibial plateau.

[tmo notes]

Obviously the part about the torn ACL is clear enough. The other bad bit is the part about the osteochondral fracfure. When the ACL snapped, my weight came down hard on the edge of that bone and it cracked a bit. That explains the lateral pain I experience. The good news is all fhe other knee parts appear well intact from the report. The "homogenously dark" stuff is connected and getting lots of blood. No signs of tears.

I asked Judy about the cyst and she explained that the fluids that have collected in my knee cycle around and out toward the back of my knee. The fluids get trapped and a small cyst forms, causing some of the stiffness I am experiencing. It will go away. Time to stretch... Some Advil is probably in order, too.

Posted by at July 9, 2003 08:30 PM