Morel-Lavallée Lesion of the knee after low-energy impact in a healthy non-athlete

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tay, Matthew Rong Jie^{a; *} | Haw, Ong Joo^b

Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore | [b] Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Sports Medicine Centre, Singapore

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Matthew Rong Jie Tay, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Rehabilitation Centre, 17 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9, 569776, Singapore. Tel.: +65 64506164; Fax: +65 64590414; E-mail: matthew_rj_tay@ttsh.com.sg.

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Morel-Lavallée Lesion (MLL) of the knee is an uncommon cause of knee swelling usually due to high-energy impact or in patients on anticoagulation. MLL of the knee due to low-energy non-athletic associated trauma in patients without antithrombotic therapy is rare. Early diagnosis can be achieved using point-of-care ultrasound. CASE REPORT:A 60-year-old female who was previously well was referred to our center for a persistently swollen left knee 2 months after a fall while on a flight of stairs. A point-of-care ultrasound identified a possible MLL of the knee. This was subsequently confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The lesion resolved with ultrasound-guided therapeutic aspiration. CONCLUSION:MLL of the knee should be a differential diagnosis of traumatic knee swelling, even in low-energy trauma and in patients without bleeding diatheses. Ultrasound is a readily available and rapid modality that can aid both in the diagnosis and management of such lesions.

Keywords: Morel-Lavallée Lesion, degloving injury, knee swelling, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-200041

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 39-42, 2021