Lateral Meniscal Root Displacement into the Popliteal Hiatus in a Multiligamentous Knee Injury: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2023 Jul 12;13(3). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.22.00743. eCollection 2023 Jul 1.

Abstract

Case: A 45-year-old female patient presented with left knee pain after a ski accident. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, proximal Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), and medial patellofemoral ligament. The lateral meniscal root was torn with the posterior horn incarcerated superiorly into the popliteal hiatus, rendering high risk of plastic deformation. An unconventional 2-staged surgical approach was performed.

Conclusion: Where risk of meniscal plastic deformation is high in the setting of multiligamentous knee injury (MLKI), diagnosis and careful surgical planning are central to a successful outcome. Treatment of intra-articular structures in operative stage 1 in MLKI is possible and was necessary in this case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries* / diagnostic imaging
  • Knee Injuries* / surgery
  • Lacerations*
  • Menisci, Tibial
  • Middle Aged
  • Plastics

Substances

  • Plastics