Physical Examination for Meniscus Tears

Meniscus injuries, both from athletic activities and activities of daily living, are a common reason of referral for orthopedic evaluation. With an annual incidence of approximately 61 per 100,000 individuals in the general population, meniscus tears are one of the most common injuries to the knee and should often be included at the top of the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with knee pain [ 1 ]. While imaging techniques are playing an increasingly important role in confi rming the diagnosis of meniscus injury, physicians must be capable of performing a thorough history and physical examination as it relates to the meniscus to determine when obtaining advanced imaging will be advantageous. This chapter will provide a review of the basic approach to the physical examination of the knee with a particular focus on the evaluation for meniscus tears.