Coronal view right knee
Meniscus tears
Knee anatomy
Axial view right knee
Meniscus injury biomechanics
Meniscus tears may be associated with ACL injuries.
Rotation mechanism of ACL injury: Knee flexion with external femur rotation
Injury mechanism:
- Rotation injury
- May be associated with cruciate/collateral ligament injury
- Ramp meniscus tear is a posteromedial meniscus peripheral tear
- Degenerative meniscal tear may be underlying with minor traumatic injury-causing tear
Symptoms:
- Knee pain
- Knee swelling
- Clicking
- Associated features of concomitant cruciate or collateral ligament tears
Meniscus tear classification
Meniscus surgery principles
Arthroscopic surgery approach to meniscus tears
Download ASSIC Performance Fingerprint or Strength & Conditioning apps for rehab guidelines for post-meniscectomy surgery
Surgical approach to meniscus injury
Ideal Indications for meniscal repair
Depend on the injury zone & tear characteristics
A good outcome for the following:
- Tear > 1cm & <4 cm in length
- Red-red zone
- Vertical tears
- Patient <40 years
- No mechanical malalignment
- Acute tears (<6 weeks)
- Concurrent ACL reconstruction
MRI scan of meniscus showing Vascular zones
References
- Meniscal Repair. Catherine Laible, Drew A. Stein, Daniel N. Kiridly. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2013;21:204-213.
- Meniscal Allograft Transplantation. Jon K. Sekiya, Christopher I. Ellingson. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2006; 14:164-174.
- Meniscal Injury: 1. Basic science and evaluation. Patrick E. Greis, Davide D. Bardana, Michael C. Holmstrom and Robert T. Burks. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2002; 10:168-176.
- Meniscal tears and discoid meniscus in children: diagnosis and treatment. Dennis E. Kramer, Lyle J. Micheli. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2009; 17:698-707.
