RESUMEN
Objective To study the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristic of bone bruises associated with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and to investigate the correlation between bone bruises and cartilage lesions. Methods The MRI findings of 37 cases of acute ACL ruptures associated with bone bruises were studied retrospestively. The classification and distribution of bone bruises were analyzed and the cartilage lesions were also observed under arthroscopy. Results A total of 57 independent bone bruises(type Ⅰ:14, type Ⅱ:32, type Ⅲ:3, type Ⅳ:6 and type Ⅴ:2) were documented by MRI in the 37 patients. 54 (94.7%) bone bruises located in lateral joint compartment with involvement of lateral femoral condyle in 31 and lateral tibial plateau in 23. Nine cases (15.8%) of articular cartilage lesions were found under arthroscopy in the area overlying bone bruises. Conclusion Bone bruises associated with acute ACL ruptures mainly located in the lateral compartment of knee, especially in anterior portion of lateral femoral condyle and posterior portion of lateral tibial plateau. Arthroscopic cartilage lesions were not corresponding to bone bruises.