Ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment of calcific bursitis of the medial collateral ligament of the knee

Abstract

Calcific bursitis of the medial collateral ligament of the knee is an infrequent pathological condition. In 1988, Kerlan and Glousman identified the clinical features of medial collateral ligament bursitis. Pain and knee functions limitation are the clinical symptoms that are most frequently encountered during the reactive inflammatory process in the bursa, that characterizes the reabsorption phases of the calcific material. It is well documented in the literature that the maximum efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment, with significant reduction or disappearance of symptoms, occurs precisely in this phase. The case report presented in this study confirms the validity as a therapeutic option of the ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment, performed with the single-needle technique, in subjects with calcific bursitis of the medial collateral ligament. In particular, this procedure is minimally invasive, well tolerated by the patient, inexpensive, fast, not burdened by particular complications, as the ultrasound guide allows to avoid contact with adjacent structures.