Isolated meniscus injuries in skeletally immature children and adolescents: state of the art

J ISAKOS. 2022 Feb;7(1):19-26. doi: 10.1136/jisakos-2020-000496. Epub 2022 Jan 11.

Abstract

The prevalence of isolated meniscal injuries in children and adolescents is low; however, we see an increase mainly due to intensified sports-related activities at an early age. A meniscal repair should be attempted whenever possible as children present with increased meniscal healing potential. The diagnosis and management of meniscal tears involve both patient factors and tear characteristics: size, anatomical location and associated injuries. Special attention should be given to the feature of discoid menisci and related tears as they require a specific management plan. This state-of-the-art review highlights the most recent studies on clinical evaluation, surgical techniques, tips and tricks, pitfalls, outcomes, return-to-sports, geographical differences and future perspectives related to meniscal injuries in children and adolescents.

Keywords: arthroscopy; athletic injuries; knee; meniscus; sports medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arthroscopy / methods
  • Cartilage Diseases*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Menisci, Tibial / surgery
  • Meniscus*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tibial Meniscus Injuries* / diagnosis
  • Tibial Meniscus Injuries* / epidemiology
  • Tibial Meniscus Injuries* / surgery