Liu Changli, Yu Guosheng, Zhao Xiuquan, Hu Yanzhao
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Province, Cangzhou, Hebei, China.
Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Osteoarthrosis Research (Preparing), Cangzhou, Hebei, China.
Front Surg. 2025 Jul 14;12:1466031. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1466031. eCollection 2025.
Calcific periarthritis, a well-recognized pathological condition of the shoulder joint, also represents an uncommon etiology of severe knee pain. Here, we present a case report of a patient with calcifications concurrently affecting both the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL).
The 62-year-old woman presented with severe lateral knee pain and restricted range of motion in her right knee. The knee exhibited marked tenderness in the posterolateral region and slight swelling, and maintained ligamentous stability. X-ray imaging of the knee revealed well-defined calcific deposits bilaterally on the femoral condyles. MRI findings indicated hypointense signal areas in close proximity to the insertions of the LCL and MCL. Laboratory test results were within normal limits. A preliminary diagnosis of calcific periarthritis was established based on comprehensive clinical assessments. Given the ineffectiveness of conservative interventions and at the patient's strong request, arthroscopic surgery was performed specifically targeting the calcific deposition in the LCL.
The patient experienced immediate relief of symptoms following the operation. Intraoperative biopsy validated the initial diagnosis. During the 2-year follow-up period, the patient remained pain-free, and radiographic assessment indicated asymptomatic dissolution of the calcific deposition in the MCL.
This study represents the first documentation of calcifications affecting both the LCL and MCL simultaneously. The progression of MCL calcifications demonstrated the potential for asymptomatic presentation from onset to resolution. In cases where conservative management fails to address symptomatic calcific disease of the LCL, arthroscopic surgery may be warranted.
钙化性关节炎是一种公认的肩关节病理状况，也是严重膝关节疼痛的罕见病因。在此，我们报告一例钙化同时累及外侧副韧带（LCL）和内侧副韧带（MCL）的病例。
一名62岁女性因右膝严重外侧疼痛及活动范围受限就诊。膝关节后外侧区域压痛明显且有轻微肿胀，但韧带稳定性良好。膝关节X线成像显示双侧股骨髁有边界清晰的钙化沉积。MRI检查结果显示在LCL和MCL附着处附近有低信号区。实验室检查结果均在正常范围内。综合临床评估后初步诊断为钙化性关节炎。鉴于保守治疗无效且患者强烈要求，针对LCL的钙化沉积进行了关节镜手术。
术后患者症状立即缓解。术中活检证实了初步诊断。在2年的随访期内，患者无疼痛，影像学评估显示MCL的钙化沉积无症状性溶解。
本研究首次记录了钙化同时累及LCL和MCL的情况。MCL钙化的进展表明从发病到消退可能无症状。在保守治疗无法解决LCL症状性钙化疾病的情况下，关节镜手术可能是必要的。
