Abstract
Traumatic swelling/effusion in the knee region is a relatively common presenting complaint among athletes and nonathletes. Due to its broad differential diagnosis, a comprehensive evaluation beginning with history and physical examination are recommended. Knee joint effusion can be differentiated from other types of swelling by careful physical examination. Imaging, including plain radiography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is preferred modality. Aspiration of a local fluctuating mass may help with the diagnosis and management of some of these conditions. We present a case of a 26-year-old gentleman with superomedial Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL) of the knee with history of a fall during a Frisbee game. His MLL was successfully treated with therapeutic aspiration and compression wrap without further sequelae. MLL is a rare condition consisting of a closed degloving injury caused by pressure and shear stress between the subcutaneous tissue and the superficial fascia or bone. Most commonly, MLL is found over the greater trochanter and sacrum but in rare cases can occur in other regions of the body. In most cases, concurrent severe injury mechanisms and concomitant fractures are present. MLL due to sports injuries are very rare. Therapeutic strategies may vary from compression wraps and aspiration to surgical evacuation.
Highlights
Effusions and swelling in the knee region are common presenting complaints among athletes and nonathletes
MorelLavallee lesions (MLL) is a rare condition presenting with superficial fluid collection between subcutaneous tissue and the superficial fascia or bone mainly caused by direct trauma
MLLs are a structural cause of knee swelling which are often missed or late diagnosed, in part because their occurrence at the knee is only more recently appreciated [2]
Summary
Effusions and swelling in the knee region are common presenting complaints among athletes and nonathletes. MorelLavallee lesions (MLL) is a rare condition presenting with superficial fluid collection between subcutaneous tissue and the superficial fascia or bone mainly caused by direct trauma. MLLs are a structural cause of knee swelling which are often missed or late diagnosed, in part because their occurrence at the knee is only more recently appreciated [2]. With imaging techniques such as ultrasound and MRI, and procedures such as aspiration, MLL is increasingly diagnosed as the etiology of traumatic periarticular knee swelling. This case describes an uncharacteristic MLL found in the knee of a recreational Frisbee player. There have been only few case reports of sports related knee MLL
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