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Information for Patients

From the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Meniscal Tear

Desgarro Meniscal (Meniscal Tear)

Knee Arthroscopy

Save Your Knees!

Meniscal Tears

by William A. Grana, MD, MPH

A meniscal tear is characterized by a traumatic or degenerative tear of the medial or lateral meniscus. Meniscal tears may occur in isolation or in association with a ligament injury or fracture. The mechanism of injury usually involves a twisting maneuver or a rapid change in direction on a weighbearing knee. The diagnosis can be made through a careful history and physical examination in 90% of patients. A thorough history should elicit the mechanism of injury and both mechanical and instability symptoms. There are nonsurgical and surgical management options for meniscal tears.

This article reviews the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of meniscal tears and surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. The inside-out arthroscopic surgical technique is specifically reviewed in detail. Video is available.

Keywords: knee meniscus injury, knee meniscus tear, meniscal injury, incidence, etiology, mechanism of injury, classification, diagnosis, patient history, physical examination, McMurray's test, Apley's test, imaging, radiography, MRI, differential diagnosis, management, nonsurgical treatment, surgical treatment, surgical techniques, arthroscopy, indications, contraindications, complications, outcomes, rehabilitation, controversies

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