Table 1 Meniscal tears classification
From: Rehabilitation and return to sports after isolated meniscal repairs: a new evidence-based protocol
Meniscal tear | Description |
|---|---|
Longitudinal Vertical | Vertically oriented parallel to the edge of the meniscus |
Longitudinal Horizontal | Horizontally oriented perpendicular to the edge of the meniscus. The superior and the inferior surfaces of the meniscus are divided |
Radial | Vertically oriented extending from the inner edge of the meniscus toward its periphery |
Bucket Handle | The inner fragment of a longitudinal tear displaces over into the intercondylar notch |
Flap or Parrot-Beak (oblique tear) | Radial tears with a circumferential extension creating a flap of meniscal tissue |
Complex | Combination of other tears that occurred in multiple planes |
Ramp (menisco-synovial) | Tears located at the posterior meniscocapsular junction and/or tears of the posterior meniscotibial ligament |
Root | Defined as either radial/oblique tears located within 1 cm of the meniscal attachment or a bony/soft-tissue root avulsion |
Hypermobile Lateral Meniscus | Hypermobile lateral menisci are thought to result from either congenital absence of posterior capsular attachments or from tears of posterior capsular attachment, in particular the popliteomeniscal fascicles |