5-Minute Clinical Consult
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.
- There are acute/traumatic and chronic/degenerative meniscal tears.
Geriatric Considerations
Meniscal tears in older patients are typically due to chronic degeneration.
- Meniscal injuries are rare in children <10 years old and are often due to a discoid meniscus (anatomic variant that is thicker and wider).
- MRI is less sensitive and specific for diagnosing meniscal tears in children <12 years of age.
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
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Acute/traumatic tears occur due to a twisting motion of the knee with foot planted.
- Chronic/degenerative tears occur with minimal trauma, overuse.
- More common >40 years old
Genetics
Presence of a discoid meniscus increases the risk for a meniscal tear. No specific gene locus has been identified.
Risk Factors
- Acute/traumatic
- High degree of physical activity (especially cutting sports)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency
- Chronic/degenerative:
- Increased age (>60 years)
- Obesity
- 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
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Acute/traumatic:
- ACL is concomitantly torn in 1/3 of cases.
- Degenerative
- Baker cyst—association with medial meniscal tears
- Osteoarthritis (OA)—degenerative tears can be considered as an early stage of OA.
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please sign in or purchase a subscription --
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.
- There are acute/traumatic and chronic/degenerative meniscal tears.
Geriatric Considerations
Meniscal tears in older patients are typically due to chronic degeneration.
- Meniscal injuries are rare in children <10 years old and are often due to a discoid meniscus (anatomic variant that is thicker and wider).
- MRI is less sensitive and specific for diagnosing meniscal tears in children <12 years of age.
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
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Acute/traumatic tears occur due to a twisting motion of the knee with foot planted.
- Chronic/degenerative tears occur with minimal trauma, overuse.
- More common >40 years old
Genetics
Presence of a discoid meniscus increases the risk for a meniscal tear. No specific gene locus has been identified.
Risk Factors
- Acute/traumatic
- High degree of physical activity (especially cutting sports)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency
- Chronic/degenerative:
- Increased age (>60 years)
- Obesity
- 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
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Acute/traumatic:
- ACL is concomitantly torn in 1/3 of cases.
- Degenerative
- Baker cyst—association with medial meniscal tears
- Osteoarthritis (OA)—degenerative tears can be considered as an early stage of OA.
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