Posteromedial knee friction syndrome: Diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Posteromedial knee friction syndrome is a condition rarely discussed in the literature and is characterized as the abnormal movement between the semitendinosus tendon and medial tibial condyle or gracilis and semitendinosus tendons versus semimembranosus tendon or tibial collateral ligament over the tibial crest, causing irritation of the soft tissue around. It occurs especially in active individuals. For the diagnosis, it is recommended to investigate signs and symptoms – pain (mainly in the medial joint line), edema, instability – and relate them to an imaging examination – magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The literature emphasizes the use of MRI as an imaging method. However, ultrasound undoubtedly has valuable functions, in a way that allows the dynamic study of the posteromedial structures, and also, the treatment guided by ultrasound with corticosteroid and anesthetic. Conservative – physiotherapy and neuromuscular re-education – and surgical – removing the semimembranosus tendon and releasing the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons – treatments are the options for treatment. We present a case of a 46-year-old woman posteromedial friction syndrome diagnosed by an MRI and treated with physiotherapy and local corticosteroid therapy.