Question: I was diagnosed with a posterior root tear of the lateral meniscus in my left knee, based on MRI study. I understand that this is a somewhat rare injury, and I was just wondering if I could receive a second opinion on the study. The MRI can be downloaded in its entirety at my Google Drive account, which is linked below (click the arrow pointing downward, at the top of the screen, then click "Start.exe" to begin viewing the study):

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4peHkrULoWbNEV0WmVzSlRDTFU/edit?usp=drive_web

Dr. XXXXXXX thanks for offering advice. To answer your questions, I do not know how the injury occurred -- it started with mild tightness in early/mid-January and progressed to pain in late February, which is when I had to stop running. My symptoms are pain if I press down hard on my heel, and some clicking/snapping (kind of like scar tissue on an old injury). I do not have any locking. When I am exercising on the elliptical, it will start to feel sore after about 20-30 minutes and feel like it needs to be adjusted (I usually do this by planting my toe into the ground and twisting my foot). However, the pain is not severe or unbearable.

The radiologist's MRI report is copied & pasted below:

"The ACL and PCL are intact. The medial meniscus is intact without evidence of tear. There is a focal tear of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus at the posterior root attachment without any meniscus attaching in this location. There are no displaced meniscal fragments. The MCL complex and the lateral supporting structures are intact. The patellofemoral articulation is congruent. The quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon are intact. There is susceptibility artifact at the patellar attachment on the tibia, possibly related to prior surgery (note: I have never had surgery). The cartilage of the knee is preserved throughout. There is no evidence of acute fracture or aggressive appearing osseous lesion. Trace fluid is seen within the joint. There is no significant popliteal cyst.

Impression: Focal tear of the posterior root attachment of the lateral meniscus. Otherwise no acute left knee pathology."

Also, I have re-uploaded the MRI images, so you should be able to view them now:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4peHkrULoWbeF9WZFBGcWdnYU0/view?usp=sharing

If you don't mind, could you take a look at some of the images and tell me how bad the root tear looks? Thanks...

Dr. XXXXXXX thank you for the advice; I will take everything you said into consideration. Just out of curiosity, would you mind taking a look at the MRI slides and telling me if you see any evidence of a tear? The radiologist who evaluated the study thinks there is, but I would like to receive a second opinion, if you have experience evaluating MRIs:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4peHkrULoWbeF9WZFBGcWdnYU0/view?usp=sharing

Thank you...

Dr. XXXXXXX I apologize for the trouble you've experienced with opening the MRI file. I have uploaded a new file in DICOM; hopefully, you will be able to view this one:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4peHkrULoWbeF9WZFBGcWdnYU0/view?usp=sharing

Do you have a program on your computer that can view DICOM files? I used a program called MicroDicom to view the MRI file, and it seemed to work. Thanks....