Anatomy:

The menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures that facilitate the transmission of loads between the femur and the tibia. The internal meniscus is C-shaped and the external meniscus has a more closed shape.

Internal meniscus tear:

It is usually the most common meniscal tear, although the external meniscus may also be affected. Usually pain is felt at the level of the internal part, or you usually hear a click when you get up, or you feel pain when you rotate your leg.

Etiology:

Generally the rupture is produced by a twisting of the knee in a previously degenerated meniscus. In athletes there are post-traumatic tears and in many cases it is associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Treatment:

The tears whose symptomatology is important, require an arthroscopy for their management.

1. Meniscal suture: it is always the most desirable treatment option, but it is not always possible due to the location of the tear or the type of breakage.

2. Regularization or selective meniscectomy: it consists of removing only the unstable meniscal fragment that causes the pain using very fine forceps.

The following image shows a meniscal tear with an upper flap that is regularized.

The following image shows the internal meniscus free of the rupture that caused the clinic of pain and blockage to the patient.