Meniscal Injury

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Basics

Description

  • The menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures between the femoral condyles and tibial plateaus.
  • The menisci help stabilize the knee and distribute forces across the joint.
  • Meniscal tears can lead to knee pain and disability and, ultimately, are a risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Pediatric Considerations

  • Meniscal injuries are rare in children age <10 years and are often due to a discoid meniscus.
  • MRI is less sensitive and specific for diagnosing meniscal tears in children age <12 years.
  • Meniscal repair is an effective treatment option with good clinical outcomes in the pediatric/adolescent population (1),(2).

Epidemiology

Bimodal age distribution—young athletes (traumatic) and older patients >40 years (degenerative)

Incidence
Medial meniscus more commonly injured

Prevalence
One of the most common musculoskeletal injuries, affecting 0.6 to 8 per 1,000 patients each year (3)

Etiology and Pathophysiology

  • Acute or traumatic tears generally occur due to a twisting motion of the knee with foot planted.
  • Chronic or degenerative tears generally occur with overuse and minimal trauma.
  • Underlying meniscal degeneration may increase the risk of suffering a tear in the case of a traumatic event (3)[C].

Genetics
No specific gene locus has been identified.

Risk Factors

  • Acute/traumatic tear:
    • High degree of physical activity (especially cutting sports)
    • Younger patients
    • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency
    • Underlying meniscal degeneration
  • Chronic/degenerative tear:
    • Increased age (>60 years)
    • Obesity (3)
    • Work-related kneeling/squatting/climbing stairs

General Prevention

  • Treatment and rehabilitation of previous knee injuries, particularly ACL injuries
  • Strengthening and increased flexibility of quadriceps and hamstring muscles
  • Weight management

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Acute/traumatic tear:
    • ACL is concomitantly torn in 1/3 of cases.
  • Degenerative tear:
    • Baker cyst—association with medial meniscal tears
    • OA

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Basics

Description

  • The menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures between the femoral condyles and tibial plateaus.
  • The menisci help stabilize the knee and distribute forces across the joint.
  • Meniscal tears can lead to knee pain and disability and, ultimately, are a risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Pediatric Considerations

  • Meniscal injuries are rare in children age <10 years and are often due to a discoid meniscus.
  • MRI is less sensitive and specific for diagnosing meniscal tears in children age <12 years.
  • Meniscal repair is an effective treatment option with good clinical outcomes in the pediatric/adolescent population (1),(2).

Epidemiology

Bimodal age distribution—young athletes (traumatic) and older patients >40 years (degenerative)

Incidence
Medial meniscus more commonly injured

Prevalence
One of the most common musculoskeletal injuries, affecting 0.6 to 8 per 1,000 patients each year (3)

Etiology and Pathophysiology

  • Acute or traumatic tears generally occur due to a twisting motion of the knee with foot planted.
  • Chronic or degenerative tears generally occur with overuse and minimal trauma.
  • Underlying meniscal degeneration may increase the risk of suffering a tear in the case of a traumatic event (3)[C].

Genetics
No specific gene locus has been identified.

Risk Factors

  • Acute/traumatic tear:
    • High degree of physical activity (especially cutting sports)
    • Younger patients
    • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency
    • Underlying meniscal degeneration
  • Chronic/degenerative tear:
    • Increased age (>60 years)
    • Obesity (3)
    • Work-related kneeling/squatting/climbing stairs

General Prevention

  • Treatment and rehabilitation of previous knee injuries, particularly ACL injuries
  • Strengthening and increased flexibility of quadriceps and hamstring muscles
  • Weight management

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Acute/traumatic tear:
    • ACL is concomitantly torn in 1/3 of cases.
  • Degenerative tear:
    • Baker cyst—association with medial meniscal tears
    • OA

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