Stener-like lesion of the medial collateral ligament of the knee

Last revised by Fabio Macori ◉ on 26 Jun 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Macori F, Knipe H, Stener-like lesion of the medial collateral ligament of the knee. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 28 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-148056

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-148056

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/148056

rID:

148056

Article created:

25 Jun 2022, Fabio Macori ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Fabio Macori had no recorded disclosures.

View Fabio Macori's current disclosures

Last revised:

26 Jun 2022, Fabio Macori ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Fabio Macori had no recorded disclosures.

View Fabio Macori's current disclosures

Revisions:

8 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Signs

Tags:

knee, lesion, cases, case2, snippet

Stener-like lesions of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) occur when a tear involves the distal fibers of the superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) are displaced superﬁcially to the pes anserinus, which can result in compromised healing.

Usually, the sMCL runs deep to the pes anserine. A Stener-like injury is characterized by the MCL's torn end moving to the surface in relation to the aponeurosis of the pes anserinus. This results in the interposition of the pes anserinus fibers between the two ends of the torn MCL. This situation prevents healing and surgical repair or reconstruction is necessary.

Radiographic features

MRI

The diagnosis of a Stener-like lesion of the MCL relies heavily on MRI ^1,2, as the clinical assessment of this lesion may be inconclusive. The field of view of the MRI must extend to the proximal tibial metadiaphysis, obtained by pivoting the knee joint line and utilizing a field of view of 16 cm.

Stener-like lesions are most visible on coronal sequences, in which the proximal portion of the torn sMCL appears undulating, shortened, and medially dislocated. The torn proximal portion often borders the pes anserinus, which may cause the pes anserinus to be confused with the sMCL ².

History and etymology

The term Stener lesion, also known as a skier's thumb or gamekeeper's thumb, was first utilized by Stener in 1962, referring to the disruption of the ulnar collateral ligament of the first metacarpophalangeal joint at the distal insertion with associated displacement on the adductor aponeurosis ³. In 2010, surgeons Corten and Hoser described a similar injury involving the sMCL ⁴.