Meniscal Injury Questions & Answers

Updated: Nov 19, 2021
  • Author: Sarjoo M Bhagia, MD; Chief Editor: Ryan O Stephenson, DO  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is a meniscal injury?

What is the anatomy of menisci relevant to meniscal injury?

What is the role of blood supply in the pathophysiology of meniscal injury?

What are the biomechanics of menisci relevant to meniscal injury?

What is the mechanism of meniscal injury?

What is the prevalence of meniscal injury in the US?

What is the morbidity associated with meniscal injury?

What are the racial predilections of meniscal injury?

What are the sexual predilections of meniscal injury?

Which age groups have the highest prevalence of meniscal injury?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the O'Donoghue test in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is included in the physical exam to evaluate for meniscal injury?

What is the role of inspection in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of palpation in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of range of motion (ROM) and gait in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of girth measurements in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What tests are performed in the physical exam to evaluate for meniscal injury?

What is the role of the McMurray test in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the Apley test in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the Bragard sign in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the bounce home test in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the Childress test in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the Merkel sign in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the modified Helfet test in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the Payr sign in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the first Steinmann sign in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What is the role of the second Steinmann sign in the physical exam of meniscal injury?

What causes meniscal injury?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of meniscal injury?

What are the differential diagnoses for Meniscal Injury?

Workup

What is the role of lab testing in the workup of meniscal injury?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of meniscal injury?

What is the role of arthrocentesis in the diagnosis and management of meniscal injury?

What is the role of arthroscopy in the diagnosis and management of meniscal injury?

Treatment

What is the role of physical therapy in the treatment of meniscal injury?

What is the difference between operative and nonoperative treatment of meniscal injury?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of meniscal injury?

What is the role of aspiration in the treatment of meniscal injury?

What is the initial phase of rehabilitation following meniscectomy to treat a meniscal injury?

What is the intermediate phase of rehabilitation following meniscectomy to treat a meniscal injury?

What is the advanced phase of rehabilitation following meniscectomy to treatment a meniscal injury?

What is the rehabilitation program following repair of meniscal injury?

What is the role of rehabilitation in the nonoperative treatment of meniscal injury?

Medications

What are the goals of drug treatment for meniscal injury?

Which medications in the drug class Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the treatment of Meniscal Injury?

Which medications in the drug class Analgesics are used in the treatment of Meniscal Injury?

Follow-up

What is the prognosis of meniscal injury?

What is included in patient education about meniscal injury?