Meniscal Gymnastics: Common and Uncommon Locations of Meniscal Flip and Flop

• Published in: Current problems in diagnostic radiology Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 15 - 25
• Main Authors: Fodor, Daniel W., MD, Vagal, Achala S., MD, Wissman, Robert D., MD, Choe, Kyuran A., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 2008
• Subjects: Humans; Internal Medicine; Knee Injuries - diagnosis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Radiology; Tibial Meniscus Injuries
• ISSN: 0363-0188; 1535-6302
• DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2007.05.002

The majority of knee magnetic resonance imaging examinations are performed for meniscal evaluations. Displaced meniscal tears including free meniscal fragments are an important diagnosis as most of these tears are unstable and require surgical intervention. Magnetic resonance imaging can be an invaluable tool in the arthroscopic search for a free meniscal fragment. In addition to the commonly seen bucket-handle tears flipped into the intercondylar notch, it is important to be aware of less common locations where menisci may be displaced. First, we briefly summarize the basic meniscal anatomy and some of the more common tear patterns. We then investigate the broad range of meniscal migration.