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Meniscal Tears, Sports Medicine

Saif Usman, MD, FAAFP, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Menisci are cartilaginous structures whose functions include distribution of joint fluid, shock absorption, deepening of the joint, nutrient distribution, load or weight-bearing, and...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • The diagnosis can be accurately made in 69% of cases by a skilled musculoskeletal examiner by history alone 3[C].

  • Traumatic tears in the younger, athletic population are most frequentl...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Initial treatment is RICE—rest, ice (20 min several times per day), compression, elevation—and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

  • Immobilization is not recommended...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • In the carefully chosen patient, meniscal repair is successful in up to 95% 5[C].

  • Successful repair compared to meniscectomy has a lower incidence of degenerative change and bette...

REFERENCES

1
Morelli V, Braxton TMJr. Meniscal, plica, patellar, and patellofemoral injuries of the knee: updates, controversies and advancements. Prim Care.  2013;40(2):357–382.
2
Snoeker BA, Bakke...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Brelin Am, Rue JP. Return to play following meniscus surgery. Clin Sports Med.  2016;35(4):669–678.

  • Nguyen JC, De Smet AA, Graf BK, et al. MR imaging-based diagnosis and classif...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Not all meniscus tears require surgery.

  • Posterior horn of medial meniscus is most commonly affected.

  • Younger patients with traumatic tears should be treated more aggressively.

  • Patients wi...

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