Meniscal tears Flashcards
What are menisci?
Menisci are C shaped structures with longitudinal and radial fibres that provide cushioning and support to the knee joint
What is the most common cause of meniscal tear in younger patients?
Sporting injury
Rising from a squatting position
What is the most common cause of meniscal tear in older patients?
Atraumatic spontaneous degenerate tears
What percentage of knee ligament tears are accompanied by a meniscal tear?
50%
How will meniscal tears present?
Meniscal tears will cause pain and tenderness, with possible initial inflammation
What is a sign of medial meniscal tear?
Medial joint line tenderness
What is a sign of lateral meniscal tear?
Lateral joint line tenderness
How will patients present in meniscal tear if a loose meniscal fragment is caught in the knee?
Bucket handle tears can cause lowering of the femur, into the knee joint, causing partial locking of the knee joint
How may a bucket-handle meniscal tear present?
This will cause lowering of the femur into the knee joint, causing partial locking of the knee joint
What are some clinical signs of meniscal tear?
Joint line tenderness
inflammatory effusion
Positive Steinmann’s test (Pain on rotation)
What are the 4 main types of meniscal tear?
- Longitudinal tear
- Bucket handle tear
- Radial tear
- Parrot beak tear
What is the main investigation required in meniscal tear?
MRI
Why do the menisci have poor healing potential?
Only the peripheral 1/3rd of the meniscus has blood supply
What types of meniscal tear will not heal?
Radial tears
Central tears
What types of surgical repair are available?
Arthroscopic meniscal tear
Arthroscopic meniscectomy