Meniscal Tears

Question 1

What is a Meniscus?

Answer 1

C shaped fibrocartilage in knee joint

Question 2

What are the functions of the Menisci? (2 things)

Answer 2

1. Shock absorber of knee joint
2. Increase articulating s.a

Question 3

What is the special about the Medial vs Lateral menisci?

Answer 3

Medial Meniscus attached to Medial Collateral Lig

Lateral Meniscus NOT attached to Lateral Collateral Lig

Question 4

What are the causes of Meniscal Tears? (2 things)

Answer 4

1. Trauma (young)
2. Degenerative disease (elderly)

Question 5

What are the Trauma related injuries that cause Meniscal Tears?

Answer 5

Twist knee @ flexed + weight bearing

(same as ACL tear bc happen together)

Question 6

What are the clinical features of a Meniscal Tear? (4 things)

Answer 6

1. Tearing sensation @ knee
2. Intense sudden onset pain
3. Slow swelling (6-12 hours)
4. Knee locked in flexion

Question 7

What would you see @ examination of a Meniscal Tear? (3 things)

Answer 7

1. Joint tenderness
2. Joint effusion (beh fluid)
3. Limited knee flexion

Question 8

What are some differentials for Meniscal Tears? (3 things)

Answer 8

1. # s
2. Crucial Lig tear
3. Collateral Lig tear

Question 9

What is the gold standard investigation for Meniscal Tears?

What does it also help identify?

Answer 9

MRI

+ identifies type of tear

Question 10

What is an XR used for in Meniscal Tears?

Answer 10

To exclude #s

Question 11

What is the immediate management of Meniscal Tears?

Answer 11

RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

Question 12

What are the management options for Small vs Large Meniscal Tears?

Answer 12

Small tears = heal by itself
Large tears = arhroscopic surgery

Question 13

What is the complication of Meniscal Tears?

Answer 13

OA

Question 14

What are the complications of the knee arthroscopic surgery for Meniscal Tears? (2 things)

Answer 14

1. DVT
2. Damage to local structures (saphenous n. + veins, peroneal n, popliteal vessels)