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Acute on chronic lateral meniscal and ACL tears

Case contributed by Bálint Botz
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Known prior right lateral meniscal and ACL tears. Recent trauma, worsening symptoms. Lateral meniscal tear?

Patient Data

Age: 60 years
Gender: Female
  • Complex tear of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus.
  • Radial dorsal root tear, best observed in the coronal plane, resultant lateral protrusion of the body of the lateral meniscus. 
  • ACL has a wavy appearance and is not reaching its femoral attachment. 
  • Mild joint effusion, two small articular loose bodies in the suprapatellar recess. 
  • Signs of chondropathy, being most advanced in the medial patellar facet (axial plane),  subchondral cyst in the lateral tibial plateau. 
Annotated image

Key images highlighting the prior anterior horn complex tear and the novel dorsal root radial tear. 

Case Discussion

Findings are in line with acute dorsal root tear of the lateral meniscus sustained on prior lateral meniscal and ACL injuries. 

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