Meniscus Injury: Diagnosis, Examination, and Differential Diagnosis

1. What Examination Methods Are Required for Meniscus Injury?

Some individuals may have a history of knee joint injury or pain, which may be caused by meniscus injury. Other symptoms may include knee joint swelling, limited range of motion, and popping sounds during movement. These can also be indicative of meniscus injury. If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. MRI can clearly show the presence and severity of meniscus injury, as well as detect ligament damage and joint effusion. Depending on the severity of the injury, conservative treatment with medication or surgical intervention may be necessary.

2. How Do Doctors Diagnose Meniscus Injury?

Doctors diagnose meniscus injury based on a combination of medical history, symptoms, orthopedic examination, and knee MRI. Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, is used for the final diagnosis and treatment of meniscus injury in patients who meet surgical indications, but it is not used for sole diagnosis. Other diagnostic criteria include:

• A clear history of knee injury or pain
• Knee joint swelling, limited range of motion, or popping sounds during movement
• Orthopedic examination revealing joint line tenderness and other rotational provocation tests, such as Thessaly test, McMurray's sign, and Apley's test
• Knee MRI revealing meniscus injury, determining the extent of the injury, and assessing the suitability for arthroscopic minimally invasive surgery

3. What Diseases Need to Be Distinguished from Meniscus Injury?

Some diseases may present similar symptoms to meniscus injury, such as articular loose bodies, synovial plica syndrome, cartilage damage, patellofemoral arthropathy, and giant cell tumor of tendon sheath. Therefore, it is important to consider these differential diagnoses. If knee joint pain occurs, whether accompanied by swelling, limited range of motion, or joint popping sounds, timely consultation with a doctor is recommended for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnostic tools such as X-ray and knee MRI can aid in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of meniscus injury.