Meniscal injury

Question 1

What is a meniscus?

Answer 1

C shaped, horshoe shaped semicircular disc made from fibrocartilage

Question 2

what is the function of the meniscus?

Answer 2

• improve fit between femur and tibia
• distribute load
• absorb shock
• joint lubrication and nutrition
• joint stability

Question 3

What is the traumatic acute mechanism of injury

Answer 3

-stress generated within the knee in flexion and compression, combined with femoral rotation exceeds the meniscal collagens ability to resist these forces

Question 4

what is the traumatic mechanism of injury

Answer 4

• more common in under 40’s
• twisting with foot anchored in the ground
• sudden impact
• commonly injured with MCL

Question 5

what is the degenerative mechanism of injury

Answer 5

• more common in over 40’s
• ageing process
• breakdown of collagen fibres

Question 6

what are the symptoms of meniscal injury

Answer 6

• pain
• swelling
• clicking, locking or giving way
• loss of ROM

Question 7

what are the signs of a meniscal injury

Answer 7

-pain along joint line with palpable click or snao
-joint effusion
-pain
restricted ROM
-clicking or locking
-positive McMurrays test