Can anyone explain to me exactly what this means?

[jewelnkidz]

Back in 2003 I had an ACL Reconstruction on my left knee and have not had issues since then.  Over the past month in a half I started having issues and have done nothing to the knee.  I ended up having an MRI last week and don't see the doctor until tomorrow, but trying to figure out what this MRI is telling me.  I'm thinking its not too good, but thought I could get someone to help me understand it.  It will be a little bit lengthy, but here goes....

Findings:
Surgical changes are present including of prior anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.  The anterior cruciate ligament graft is intact.  (I get this, the ACL is in good shape)

Interior posterior cruciate ligament.  Intact collateral ligaments (Looks like this is ok too)

The medial meniscus is somewhat diminutive and there is blunting/truncation of the free edge of the midbody segment, morphology consisten with sequela of prior partial meniscectomy.  No well-defined component of medial meniscal tear identified.  Small focus of ill-defined signal at the free edge of the midbody segment laterial meniscus, consistent with some fraying, also without well-defined component of lateral meniscal tear identified.  (I know I tore the menniscus in 2005, but not sure what its saying here)

Approx 1 cm AP dmension by 0.5 cm transverse dimension well-defined high-grade chondral defect along the more posterior weightbearing lateral femoral condyle (wthout subchodral bone marrow edema); adjacent smaller high-grade partial-thickness chronic less well-defined chondral defect alon gthe lateral tibial plateau without subchondral bone marrow edema; approx 1 cm greatest dimension segment of ill-defined partial-thickness cartilage loss and fissuring along the inner lateral tibial plateau with mild low-level subchondral bone marrow edema; softening and perhaps a small deep fissure and/or delamination along an approx 0.7 transverse dimension segment of the inner weightbearing medial femoral condyle (without subchondral bone marrow edema); scattered additional chondral softening and mild thinning.  Small marginal osteophytes.  (No clue here what they are saying other than edema is swelling)

Approx 1 cm long axis by 0.2 cm short axis ossified intra-articular body centered along the inner aspect of the lateral femoral ondyle at the posterior intercondylar notch, posterior of the cruciate ligaments (axial images 15; coronal images 7).  Additional intra-articular body, slightly smaller, centered along the anteromedial femoral condyle (axial images 14; coronal images 16).

Joint effusion with scattered foci of synovial proliferation.

Intact distal quadriceips and patellar tendons, the morpholog of the patella tendon consisten with harvest site from prior ACL repair.  Intact popliteus tendon.

Scattered nonspecific subcutaneous soft tissue edema.  Mild low-level iintramuscular edema within the proximal medial gastrocnemius, nonspecific.  Small ganglion along posteromedial femoral condyle associated with the medial gastrocnemius origin (I know this is the cyst that is buldging out on my knee, I believe)

IMPRESSION:

Osteoarthritis, the worse overall chondrosis in the laterial tibiofemoral compartmentn where the abnormalities include a relatively well-defined approx 1 cm AP dimension high-grade chondral defect along the more posterior weightbearing lateral femoral ondyle with an adjacent less well-defined segment of high-grade partial thickness cartliage loss along the lateral tibial plateau (without subchondral bone marrow edema); and an approx 1 cm segment of partial-thickness cartliage loss and fissuring along the inner lateral tibial plateau with mild underlying subchondral bone marrow edema.  Joint effusion with areas of synoial proliferation and intraarticular bodies, also described in further detail above.

Postsurgical changes including of prior anterior cruciate ligament repair, with an intact graft and no Cyclops type lesion.

Morphology of the medial meniscus consisten with sequela of prior partial meniscectomy, without well-defined component of meniscal tear identified.

Mild low-level medial gastrocnemius intramuscular edema, nonspecific

I'm so confused, sounds like there is a lot going on with the leg, however, I know its just a lot of words. My fear, I've done damage that is going to require another surgery.  Could anyone help me understand this.

THANK YOU

[harryb7287]

Impression : absent posterior horn and body medial meniscus compatible with previous partial meniscectomy.Otherwise, no internal derangement. Specifically cartilage in the medial compartment
is without focal or full-thickness defect.no subchondral marrow abnormality .just want to know does this sound like surgery I had a meniscus tear had surgery 2years ago but knee really hurts giving out again

[harryb7287]

Impression : absent posterior horn and body medial meniscus compatible with previous partial meniscectomy.Otherwise, no internal derangement. Specifically cartilage in the medial compartment
is without focal or full-thickness defect.no subchondral marrow abnormality .just want to know does this sound like surgery I had a meniscus tear had surgery 2years ago but knee really hurts giving out again

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Other than the things you have already deciphered, the report describes degeneration in the remaining part of the medical meniscus. There is a defect in the cartilage covering the surface of the thigh bone that forms the knee joint and a similar defect in the bone of the lower leg with associated degenerative/ inflammatory changes. There are two small body bodies seen within the joint with increased fluid in the joint space.
Hope this helps.

Take care!