Bone Bruising (Bone Marrow Oedema)

Impaction to articular surface leads to microscopic fracture of trabecular bone with bleeding and inflammation

Clinical presentation

  • A major source of pain after meniscal tear and ligament injuries

Investigations

  • MRI

Management

  • Will settle with time - typically 3 months but can take over a year
  • No treatment know to speed up resolution
  • Hyaline cartilage over area may deteriorate over time leaving a full thickness chondral defect