MRI showed mild focal surface irregularity of the lateral compartment. Anything serious?

Posted on Tue, 27 Aug 2013 in Bones, Muscles and Joints

Question: I had an MRI done a month ago and I would like to know what these two items mean "Medial collateral ligament: Mild thickening of the proximal intact" and "mild focal surface irregularity of the lateral compartment. Another doctor told me that mild thickening is from a prior MCL injury which I was unaware of. Additionally, could scarred tissue cause my knee to buckle, catching, locking, stiffness, and pain on the outer part of my knee?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta 1 hour later

Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.

Medial collateral ligament is ligament on inner side of knee which connects femur with tibia bone. In your MRI report it shows mild thickening at femoral attachment. Lateral comparment comprise of lateral condyle of femur, lateral condyle of tibia and lateral collateral ligament.In your MRI report some degenerative changes seen over lateral compartment.

As you have prior injury to knee, this mild thickeneng could be due to prior MCL injury. Knee buckling, catching, locking, stiffness, and pain on the outer part of your knee could be due to degenerative arthritic changes or meniscal tear.

Hope this helps you. Please do write back if you have any additional concerns.

Wishing you good health...
Regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta 58 minutes later

What would be the treatment for a prior MCL tear that is scarring that is causing chronic knee pain for the past 2 years with locking, catching, buckling, and sharp pain when all other traditional treatments have failed

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta 2 hours later

Hi, When all other traditional treatments have failed for chronic MCL tear which get scarred, surgical treatment focusing mainly on reconstruction of the superficial MCL with quadriceps tendon or hamstring autograft could be done.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan

Answered by

Dr. Saurabh Gupta

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 5930 Questions

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Question is related to
Diseases and Conditions	Medial cruciate ligament injury, Meniscus tears, Knee pain
Lab Tests	MRI, Magnetic resonance imaging
Medical Topics	Medial collateral ligament, Fibular collateral ligament, Medial meniscus, Hamstring