What Do These MRI Findings For Partial Tear Of The Left Lateral Meniscal Root Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 11 Jun 2015

Question: I was diagnosed with a partial tear of the left lateral meniscal root at the posterior horn in early March of 2015. I previously uploaded my original MRI study (performed on March 4th) and received advice from several physicians on this website regarding the severity of the tear. Earlier today (May 20th), I had a follow-up MRI study performed to assess whether the injury has healed or gotten worse. I have included a link to the follow-up MRI study below; I have also included a link to the original MRI study for the purpose of comparison.

Based on the follow-up MRI study, does the injury look like it has healed to any degree, or has it gotten worse? Also, is any meniscal extrusion present?

Thanks...

Link to original MRI study (March 4th, 2015):

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4peHkrULoWbNEV0WmVzSlRDTFU/edit?pli=1

Link to follow-up MRI study (May 20th, 2015):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/saukx82ep7t9i0o/Knee%20MRI%20May%202015.zip?dl=0

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please upload fresh files so that I can go through it.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I am aware of your previous query.
I tried to open to open your file but my system couldn't open it probably due to corrupted file.
Please upload fresh files so that I can go through it.

Get well soon.
Awaiting for fresh files.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (18 minutes later)

Dr. XXXXXXX I apologize for the inconvenience; I have re-uploaded the file to my Google Drive account this time. Please let me know if you are able to open the file. BTW, the follow-up MRI was performed at a different facility that uses a Philips DICOM viewing program, while the facility that performed the first MRI used a General Electric DICOM program, so that may be why your computer is having issues with opening the file. The new link is below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4peHkrULoWbdG9aeHJISzdteFE/view?usp=sharing

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Findings appears almost same to me as compared to previous MRI.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

New link is working and I have gone through the images in detail.
Findings appears almost same to me as compared to previous MRI (march 4 th 2015).
Your condition also need clinical correlation.It is important to know your present symptoms.
I think you should wait for some more time.Meniscal tear generally heals slowly and it also varies with patient.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (2 hours later)

Dr. XXXXXXX thanks for the advice. So the tear hasn't healed at all? Is it any bigger than it was before?

Regarding symptoms, there is still some pain when I bend the knee down and inward (medially) and put lots of weight on it, but the pain isn't as bad as it was before. There is still catching/popping (sounds like tendonitis snapping) and pain when doing the elliptical, but it is less severe.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Tear size is not increased at all.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Tear size is not increased at all.
Radiological findings lag behind clinical improvement.It may take some more time to appear as normal.Most important at this stage is clinical improvement and you are showing good response(this is a good sign).
Meniscus healing stage doesn't have clear findings as compared to bone findings(it is easy to assess healing in bone by callus formation).

So,it may take some more time for normal appearance.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (6 minutes later)

Dr. XXXXXXX thanks for the additional information. I just have a few more questions. If doing the elliptical causes mild pain/stiffness, could that prevent the tear from healing?

Also, do you know if it is ever possible to see scar tissue formation on an MRI? Is any of this seen on my follow-up MRI?

Thanks....

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Use of elliptical may delay healing process.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Use of elliptical may delay healing process due to repetitive stress to knee,so better you should avoid it temporarily.
Scar tissue can be seen in MRI images but it is not clearly visible in your case.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E