Chronic Morel-Lavallée Lesion in a Pediatric Competitive Dancer: A Case Report and Literature Review

Morel-Lavallée lesions (MLLs) are rare internal degloving injuries resulting from shearing trauma, with few reported cases in the pediatric population. We present the case of a 16-year-old female competitive dancer with persistent right knee pain, skin atrophy, and ecchymosis after trauma sustained during a national dance competition, with MRI demonstrating a loculated fluid collection consistent with an MLL. MLLs in children pose significant diagnostic challenges due to their non-specific symptoms overlapping with other musculoskeletal, autoimmune, and dermatological conditions. This case underscores the importance of early recognition and multidisciplinary management of MLLs in pediatric athletes to prevent misdiagnosis and facilitate timely treatment.