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J Knee Surg 2019; 32(02): 123-126
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676959
Special Focus Section
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Meniscus Injuries in the Military Athlete

Michael A. Donohue
1   John A. Feagin, Jr. Sports Medicine Fellowship, Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York
,
Liang Zhou
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
,
Chad A. Haley
1   John A. Feagin, Jr. Sports Medicine Fellowship, Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

02 October 2018

15 November 2018

Publication Date:
10 January 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Meniscal injuries in the young, active patient are often challenging injuries for the orthopaedic surgeon whose goal is to provide pain-free return to play/military duty and preserve maximal meniscal integrity. In the U.S. military, the incidence rate of meniscal tears is almost 10 times higher than that of the civilian population; although, the rates of reoperation following meniscal repair are fairly similar. The decision to pursue meniscal debridement versus repair is multifactorial depending on tear characteristics, concomitant injury, patient characteristics, and goals. Meniscal allograft transplantation remains reserved as a salvage procedure but with limited goals for potential to return to complete unrestricted military duties. The purpose of this article is to review treatment principles for the military athlete with meniscal pathology.

Keywords

meniscus - debridement - repair - meniscectomy - knee - arthroscopy

Note

The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Defense Health Agency, the Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government.