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| Author | Trevor Vassallo |
| Abstract | The knee, being one of the most complex as well as one of the greatest synovial joint in the body, hosts various anatomical components - one of which is the meniscus, better known as the cartilage. There are two menisci - lateral and medial - which are fibrocartilage structures resting on the tibial condyles. These are crescent or moon-shaped when viewed from above, but triangular in cross-section. The several functions of the menisci include: stability, lubrication and shock absorption. Injuries of the menisci are commonly encountered lesions in orthopaedic practice. Patients suffering from meniscal injuries can be divided into two categories: 1. elderly patients whose menisci are weak and more prone to injury; 2. the younger group of patients (usually below 40), which suffer meniscal injury related to sport, where the relatively tough and rubbery cartilage is violated due to unwithstanded stress and pressure. The medial meniscus, due to its firm attachment to the medial ligament is more liable to be trapped and torn rather than the more freely moving lateral meniscus, during twisting movements of the knee. The main objectives of the study where fulfilled from a thorough literature search where plenty of methods were found for diagnosing meniscal tears but the most widely and commonly used methods for finding out, confirming and eventually treating meniscal tears are: a medical history, followed by a physical test. An x-ray is taken to see if there are any bony conditions or fractures. If from the above methods a torn meniscus is strongly suggested, the patient will be referred directly for arthroscopy satisfying both the diagnostic and surgical aspects at the same time. However, if the doctor is still in doubt after the physical test, the patient will be referred for an MRI. In case the MRI is not available, CT arthrography, spiral CT arthrography and even conventional arthrography may be used. The treatment plan of the patient will then depend on the results obtained in the latter test. If MRI results that the patient is positive to a meniscal tear, arthroscopy could be implied and if the patient's result is negative, the cost involved for arthroscopy will be saved for more needy patients. |
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| Key words | Radiography, Thesis, Meniscal Tear, Knee Joint |