ABSTRACT
The young, active patient with a meniscal tear poses a significant challenge for the
surgeon. Multiple factors influence the treatment of meniscal pathology and the ultimate
goal of meniscal surgery should be to remove only torn and nonfunctional tissue by
limited meniscectomy or to repair amenable tears. The chondroprotective significance
of the meniscus has influenced the current treatment of meniscal injuries in young
athletes with the emphasis on repairing meniscus tears to include complex tears and
tears in the avascular zone. Partial meniscectomy and meniscal repair techniques have
provided good long-term clinical success and return to activity. The decision to debride
versus repair a meniscus depends on tear pattern, location, and the patient's willingness
to comply with postoperative restrictions. In patients with symptomatic meniscus deficiency,
meniscal allograft transplant is an option that may provide pain relief but may not
allow return to sports. The purpose of this article is to provide a succinct review
of the diagnostic and management principles for the young, active patient with a meniscal
tear.
KEYWORDS
Meniscus - meniscal - meniscectomy - repair - allograft
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LTC Brett D OwensM.D.
John A. Feagin, Jr. Sports Medicine Fellowship
Keller Army Hospital, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996
eMail: b.owens@us.army.mil
