The Morel-Lavallée lesion is a closed soft-tissue degloving injury commonly 
associated with high-energy trauma. The thigh, hip, and pelvic region are the 
most commonly affected locations. Timely identification and management of a 
Morel-Lavallée lesion is crucial because distracting injuries in the 
polytraumatized patient can result in a missed or delayed diagnosis. Bacterial 
colonization of these closed soft-tissue injuries has resulted in their 
association with high rates of perioperative infection. Recently, MRI has been 
used to characterize and classify these lesions. Definitive management is 
dictated by the size, location, and age of the injury and ranges from 
percutaneous drainage to open débridement and irrigation. Chronic lesions may 
lead to the development of pseudocysts and contour deformities of the extremity.