A Stener-like Lesion of the Medial Collateral Ligament of the Knee

When the superficial fibers of the medial collateral ligament of the knee are torn without tearing of the deep fibers, the anterior superficial fibers may displace over the pes anserinus tendons, so that healing back to the tibial insertion site may be jeopardized. As only the anterior superficial and not the posterior superficial or deep fibers are disrupted, the knee will not have increased valgus laxity in extension whereas there is not a firm end point in 30 degrees flexion. The clinical findings could be confused with those of a Grade 2 medial collateral ligament sprain that generally is not associated with displacement of the anterior fibers over the pes anserinus tendons. We describe the diagnostic findings confirmed with surgical exploration of two Stener-like disruptions of the medial collateral ligament of the knee.