Meniscal Tears Flashcards
What do the menisci do in the knee?
Help the femur and tibia fit together to allow them to move smoothly across each other
Shock absorption
Distributes weight over joint for stabilisation
What is the groove on the femur called where the patella sits?
Trochlea
or
Patellofemoral groove
What are the ligaments in the knee?
Anterior cruciate
Posterior cruciate
Lateral collateral
Medial collateral
What is the most likely cause of meniscal tears?
Twisting movements
How do meniscal tears occur as we age?
Young patients by playing sports
Increasing age menisci become more prone to injury, minor twisting movements
What characteristic sound or sensation occurs with meniscal tears?
Popping sound or feeling
What are the symptoms of meniscal tears?
Pain
Swelling
Stiffness
Reduced range of motion
Locking of the knee
Knee gives way
What are the examination findings of meniscal tears?
Localised tenderness on joint line
Swelling
Reduced range of motion
What special tests are used for diagnosis or meniscal tears?
McMurray’s test
Apley grind test
Why are the McMurray’s and Apley grind test not used generally used in clinical practise?
Causes pain and may worsen the injury
How do you carry out McMurray’s test?
How do you carry out Apley Grind test?
What can be used to determine whether a patient need an X-ray of the knee after acute knee injury?
Ottawa Knee Rules
(Used to look for a fracture)
What investigations are used for establishing meniscal tear diagnosis?
MRI
First line
Arthroscopy
Gold-standard
What can arthroscopy be used for?
Visualise the meniscus within the joint
Repair or remove damaged meniscus
