“Can a bone bruise hide a tear in your knee?”

Bone injuries don't hide meniscal tears. You should get a new MRI to eval the cause of the pain. Meniscal tear pain can come and go.

You probably have chondromalacia patella. Check with orthopedic. Wear a knee brace when you run or jog

It depends on the quality of the mri scan and location of the bone bruise, but is not common unless the area is directly next to the meniscus tear. However, there are many reasons for your symptoms in addition to potential meniscus tear that need to be evaluated. Assuming the diagnosis is correct, patella dislocations can be associated with a piece of cartilage and/or bone breaking off and becoming what is known as a “loose body.” Loose bodies can mimic meniscus tear symptoms. This includes things like locking, buckling, swelling, inability to bear weight and pain. Additionally, when you get a bone bruise, the cartilage surface over that area can break down and cause symptoms like swelling. Lastly, while recurrent dislocations are more common in younger age groups experiencing their first dislocation, you do tear ligaments (most commonly the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament, or MPFL) when the knee cap dislocates or even subluxates (partial dislocation) and you can redislocate the knee cap (patella). Even without recurrent dislocations, it can lead to maltracking of the kneecap and symptoms as well. Repeat physical examination and possible further imaging such as an mr arthrogram, CT scan, ultrasound, and x-rays should pinpoint the actual current problem. Additionally, a mini-scope or arthroscopy may be ultimately necessary. Lastly, if the bone bruise was in the area of the meniscus as opposed to the patella and/or upper femoral condyle, that sometimes could indicate a meniscus tear even if not seen on the mri scan initially. If the bone bruises were in the typical “kissing lesions” on the femoral condyle and tibial plateau consistent with an ACL tear, that should also be ruled out even if the mri scan did not show an ACL tear. Most importantly is to see an orthopedic knee or sports medicine specialist and get proper re-evaluation.

MRI will show bone bruises. They do not hide on an MRI. Meniscus tear pain can be intermittent depending upon the type of the tear. If you still have pain behind the knee cap and you had a kneecap dislocation, might recommend a repeat MRI as this could represent a cartilage injury/damage to the cartilage on the kneecap. Would recommend seeing an orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation.

Clinically, yes, but on imaging, no. MRI should very clearly distinguish between patellofemoral-induced pain and a meniscal tear.

A bone bruise of the knee cap does not hide a meniscus tear. I advise you to consult an orthopedic knee surgeon for further assessment.

Verstuurd Vanaf Mijn

Meniscus tears can be very painful. I am unsure which doctor you have been examined by, but you need to see an orthopedic surgeon. You are too young to be so debilitated and this can be fixed through surgery which, with an excellent orthopedic surgeon, has fabulous results so you can get on with your life pain free. Standing with any knee injury can be very painful, but you need this repaired.
I hope this helps.

Dr. Mills

A bone bruise on the patella from a dislocated knee cap has very different symptoms than a meniscal tear. The knee cap (patella) when recovering from a dislocation will have pain in the front of the knee. The torn soft-tissue around the knee cap will also be sore or painful as it heals on the inner side of the knee cap. The bone bruise and healing from the dislocation may take several months to recover.

Meniscal tears will be felt on the joint line of the knee, usually towards the back of the knee. They can move at times to make it difficult to walk or cause locking of the joint where it would be difficult to bend the knee. MRI's are very sensitive for both injuries. The MRI will show both injuries if they are there and not be hidden from view. I would consult with your doctor about the injury and your progress. Your physician's physical exam may be able to distinguish between these injuries and give you a path forward.

Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD

Start acupuncture with Moxibustion weekly. Massages with chest rub every 3 hours and Reflexology twice a day. Consult Orthopaedic surgeon.

Best to repeat the MRI.It’s likely other damage will show up.