HC Chang Orthopaedic Surgery | Singapore

Medial Meniscus Posterior Horn Root Tear

Injury to the medial meniscus root results in loss of the ability of the knee to withstand hoop strain, resulting in contact pressure increases and kinematic alterations.

In layman terms, a medial meniscus posterior horn root tear will lead to loss of the shock absorption function of the medial meniscus to the medial compartment of the knee.

It causes a large increase in contact pressure in the medial compartment of the affected knee joint. This translates to increased thinning and wearing out of the smooth articular cartilage of the knee joint. This can result in knee pain, swelling and stiffness and eventually osteoarthritis.

The presentation of an acute medial meniscus posterior horn root tear is usually a pop or snap in the knee joint with minor or trivial injury.

This results in sudden onset of severe knee pain. The patient is literally stopped in his/her tracks. The knee will usually swell up and the patient notices stiffness the following day.

Biomechanical studies have shown restoration of the function of the medial meniscus with repair of the torn meniscus root tear.

This is a video showing one of the technique to repair a torn medial meniscus root tear:

For more information on knee pain or meniscus repair, please contact Dr HC Chang at +65-683 666 36.