Meniscal Root Tears: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes

Abstract

➢ Meniscal root tears compromise load distribution within the knee, accelerating cartilage degeneration and leading to knee osteoarthritis. ➢ Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion supported by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with arthroscopy serving as the gold standard for confirmation. ➢ Management decisions should be tailored to patient-specific factors, including age, activity level, tear characteristics, and the severity of degenerative chondral wear evident on preoperative imaging, including weight-bearing radiographs and MRI. ➢ Root repair is associated with better long-term outcomes compared with partial meniscectomy and nonoperative management in appropriately selected patients. ➢ There is currently no universally accepted postoperative rehabilitation protocol following meniscal root repair; however, most strategies limit weight-bearing in the early postoperative period and restrict loaded flexion, such as deep squatting, for up to 4 to 5 months. Further research is needed to guide standardized recovery pathways.