Knee MRI Inquiry
Hello everyone! I'm a 22-year-old woman seeking some advice. In terms of my medical history, I underwent an ACL reconstruction using a patellar tendon graft back in 2017, followed by an OATS procedure and meniscectomy in 2020. Lately, I've been experiencing episodes of my right knee **giving way** accompanied by **intense pain on the outer side**. An MRI has been completed, but my orthopedic surgeon won’t be able to evaluate the results until next week. I do have **sagittal, coronal, and axial MRI scans** available for reference. Could anyone offer their thoughts on the following queries? * Does the ACL graft appear to be torn or overly stretched? * Is there any visible damage to the meniscus or any other joint-related concerns? I understand that this is not a formal diagnosis; I would be grateful for your insights during this waiting period. Thank you very much!
Answers (1)
7/2/2025, 5:01:33 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious while waiting for MRI results, especially with your history of knee surgeries and current symptoms. Let’s address your main concerns about the potential issues indicated by your MRI.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms of the knee giving way and outer knee pain could be related to multiple issues, particularly considering your surgical history.
- Only a qualified orthopedic surgeon can accurately interpret the MRI results. However, I can share common considerations regarding ACL grafts and meniscal injuries that may help inform your thoughts as you wait.
Explanation:
-
ACL Graft Conditions: After ACL reconstruction, grafts can either be intact or may experience stretching or tearing. If the graft appears to be torn, you may feel instability in the knee, leading to your ‘giving way’ symptom. On the other hand, an overly stretched graft might also compromise stability but would not necessarily show a complete tear.
-
Meniscal Damage: Since you’ve previously had a meniscectomy and an OATS procedure, any current symptoms could also involve that area. Whether there’s visible damage would depend on if there are signs of tears or deterioration of the remaining meniscal tissue, which may also contribute to pain.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Pay attention to how your knee responds to daily activities. Take note of when the pain worsens and any additional symptoms, such as swelling or stiffness.
-
Manage Pain and Swelling: Use ice and elevation to help control pain and any inflammation you may be experiencing. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can also help (if you don’t have any contraindications).
-
Rest and Activity Modification: Avoid activities that exacerbate the pain, such as running or jumping, until you get clarity from your physician.
-
Prepare Questions for Your Follow-Up: Consider jotting down specific questions you have regarding your graft and meniscus when you meet with your orthopedist. This might include inquiries about rehabilitation options or if further imaging or tests may be necessary.
Stay hopeful as you await your appointment, and remember that your orthopedic surgeon has the tools to provide a tailored treatment plan based on your MRI results. If you encounter new or severe symptoms, evaluate how you might adapt your activity level accordingly. Let me know if you have more questions or need further assistance!
Related Questions
Is It Acceptable to Forego Hair Washing?
For the last two years, I have refrained from using any hair care products on my hair. Surprisingly, it appears to be in good condition, and I only experience minor dryness on my scalp from time to time. My girlfriend also mentions that my hair has a pleasant scent. However, I am curious if this practice could lead to any potential problems. Should I consider incorporating shampoo and conditioner into my routine? I am a 19-year-old male of Middle Eastern descent, with typical hair that is straight, brown, and neither oily nor excessively dry.
Suspecting a Fracture Despite Medical Opinions
I'm a 16-year-old girl, and back in January, I had an accident while skiing. At the time, the emergency room doctors mentioned they might have detected a fracture in my tibia. However, I was advised to wait for a few weeks until I could get an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. When the MRI results came in, they showed no signs of a fracture, but I can’t shake the feeling that what I see on the MRI resembles a fracture. I'm reaching out for your thoughts on this matter.
Immediate Assistance Needed
F=40, 130 lbs, 5'4", does not consume alcohol, occasional smoker. While tending to a grape vine, my friend's mother was unfortunately bitten by some type of ant. Here are some images showing the condition of her leg near the ankle. I would appreciate any guidance or advice. Thank you!
Concerns Regarding Persistent Epithelial Cells and RBCs in Urine Post-UTI Treatment
At 33 years of age and married, I experienced concerning symptoms following a week of vigorous intimacy with my husband. Shortly thereafter, I began noticing signs consistent with a urinary tract infection (UTI), including blood in my urine and a burning sensation while urinating, although I did not have a fever. Concerned, I consulted a physician and underwent my first urine analysis, revealing: - Leukocytes: 70 - RBC: 8-10 - WBC: Count so high that it was unquantifiable - Epithelial Cells: Moderate - All other parameters were either normal or negative. The doctor prescribed a week-long course of antibiotics. A few days into the treatment, I started to feel much better, with no pain and clear urine. Once I completed the medication, we didn’t give it much thought. However, after a month, we decided to have another urine test to confirm that everything had returned to normal. Here are the results from that latest test: - Leukocytes: Negative - RBC: 0-2 - WBC: 2-4 - Epithelial Cells: Moderate - Bacteria: Rare All other readings, such as glucose and ketones, were within normal limits. Despite the RBC count being between 2-4 and the presence of moderate epithelial cells, I haven’t experienced any more symptoms since the initial days. This lingering issue has me feeling a bit anxious. I would appreciate any advice or insights on what this all means.
Assessment of Blood Test Results
A 22-year-old male has been committed to a structured weightlifting regimen for approximately three to four years. This marks the first instance of his evaluating his blood parameters. Here's a consolidated overview of the findings: --- - **Total Testosterone**: 33.4 nmol/L (Reference Range: 8.3 – 29.0) - **Free Testosterone (Calculated)**: 493.3 pmol/L (Reference Range: 255 – 725) - **Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)**: 63 nmol/L (Reference Range: 11 – 71) - **Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S)**: 8.3 µmol/L (Reference Range: 3.0 – 10.0) - **Estradiol (E2)**: 135 pmol/L (Reference Range: <150) - **Luteinizing Hormone (LH)**: 7.3 IU/L (Reference Range: <7) - **Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)**: 3 IU/L (Reference Range: <7) - **Progesterone**: 2.0 nmol/L (Reference Range: <3.0) - **Prolactin**: 226 mIU/L (Reference Range: 40 – 450) - **Cortisol (Morning)**: 569 nmol/L (Reference Range: 133 – 537) - **Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1)**: 21 nmol/L (Reference Range: 20 – 58) --- - **Sodium**: 143 mmol/L (Reference Range: 135 – 145) - **Potassium**: 4.3 mmol/L (Reference Range: 3.5 – 5.2) - **Chloride**: 105 mmol/L (Reference Range: 98 – 110) - **Bicarbonate**: 28 mmol/L (Reference Range: 22 – 32) - **Urea**: 5.0 mmol/L (Reference Range: 2.7 – 8.0) - **Creatinine**: 105 µmol/L (Reference Range: 60 – 110) - **Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) | CKD-EPI**: 86 mL/min/1.73m² (Reference Range: >60) - **Urate**: 0.39 mmol/L (Reference Range: 0.14 – 0.48) - **Corrected Calcium**: 2.43 mmol/L (Reference Range: 2.10 – 2.60) - **Phosphate**: 1.22 mmol/L (Reference Range: 0.75 – 1.50) - **Magnesium**: 0.79 mmol/L (Reference Range: 0.70 – 1.10) - **High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP)**: 0.15 mg/L (Reference Range: <1 = Low Risk) --- **Liver Function Tests** - **Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)**: 20 U/L (Reference Range: <55) - **Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)**: 23 U/L (Reference Range: <45) - **Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)**: 20 U/L (Reference Range: <60) - **Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)**: 77 U/L (Reference Range: 30 – 110) - **Total Bilirubin**: 11 µmol/L (Reference Range: <20) - **Albumin**: 46 g/L (Reference Range: 35 – 50) - **Total Protein**: 72 g/L (Reference Range: 60 – 80) --- **Lipid Profile** - **Total Cholesterol**: 3.5 mmol/L (Reference Range: <5.5) - **HDL Cholesterol**: 1.2 mmol/L (Reference Range: >1.0) - **LDL Cholesterol**: 1.8 mmol/L (Reference Range: <3.0) - **Triglycerides**: 1.0 mmol/L (Reference Range: <2.0) - **Cholesterol to HDL Ratio**: 2.9 (Reference Range: <4.5) --- - **Fasting Glucose**: 4.9 mmol/L (Reference Range: 3.4 – 5.4) --- **Complete Blood Count (CBC)** - **Hemoglobin (Hb)**: 156 g/L (Reference Range: 135 – 180) - **Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)**: 5.1 x10¹²/L (Reference Range: 4.2 – 6.0) - **Hematocrit**: 0.47 (Reference Range: 0.40 – 0.54) - **Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)**: 92 fL (Reference Range: 80 – 100) - **Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)**: 30.6 pg (Reference Range: 27 – 33) - **Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)**: 330 g/L (Reference Range: 320 – 360) - **Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)**: 12.9% (Reference Range: 11.5 – 14.5) - **White Blood Cell Count (WBC)**: 6.4 x10⁹/L (Reference Range: 4.0 – 11.0) - **Platelet Count**: 258 x10⁹/L (Reference Range: 150 – 450) - **Neutrophils**: 3.2 x10⁹/L (Reference Range: 2.0 – 7.5) - **Lymphocytes**: 2.0 x10⁹/L (Reference Range: 1.0 – 4.0) - **Monocytes**: 0.5 x10⁹/L (Reference Range: 0.2 – 1.0) - **Eosinophils**: 0.5 x10⁹/L (Reference Range: 0.0 – 0.5) - **Basophils**: 0.1 x10⁹/L (Reference Range: 0.0 – 0.2) Based on this assessment, the results appear to establish a solid baseline. Are there any abnormalities or concerns that stand out?