Medial Meniscal Injury
What is it? The menisci are semilunar cartilage discs that sit between the tibia and the femur on the medial and lateral sides of the knee.
How does it present? A meniscal tear can be caused by an acute injury or can be degenerative in nature from chronic wear and tear. Common causes of injury include a traumatic knee injury involving a twisting motion or less traumatic motions such as squatting. The patient may complain of knee swelling and a sharp pain on the side of the meniscal injury and may have a locking or catching sensation or not be able to fully extend the knee. Symptoms are often made worse by bending the knee or being in a squatted position.
Common exam findings: A small effusion may be noted on exam. The patient may have joint line tenderness on the side of the meniscal injury. The Bounce Test, McMurray's Test, and Apley's Compression Grind Test may all be positive.
Tests and treatment: An x-ray may be done to rule out bony injury, but a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would be needed to visualize the meniscus. Treatment is usually surgical with an arthroscopic approach. The type of surgical procedure done depends upon whether the tear is a vascular or nonvascular zone of the meniscus.