Avulsion Injuries "Root Tears"

An avulsion of the insertion of the meniscus is defined as a root tear. In the clinical practice the incidence of this lesion is often underestimated. However, several biomechanical studies have shown that the effect of a root tear is comparable to a meniscectomy. Clinical studies documented progredient arthritic changes thereby supporting the basic science studies. The injury mechanism of a root tear can be a valgus/rotational trauma of the knee joint resulting in an isolated avulsion or associated lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Another mechanism is a posterior tibial tunnel placement during ACL reconstruction. The diagnostic approach is limited by unspecific clinical symptoms and MRI can be helpful for evaluating meniscal extrusion as a sign of a root tear. During arthroscopy the function of the root can be assessed using a probe. However, visualization of the medial and lateral meniscus insertion is challenging. A refixation of the root can be performed using an anchor or tibial tunnel approach and a two suture technique. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.