KNEE Dictionary beginning with M

Abbreviation of 'matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation'.

A method of imaging of the body that allows the organs to be viewed in 'slices.

The word 'mal' means 'bad' or 'poor'. Alignment can refer to the relationship of one bone to its neighbouring bone. The term 'malalignment' therefore means that the relationship or geometry of one bone in relation to its neighbouring bone is outside of what one might consider normal.

The malleolus is the bone of the ankle.

Maltracking refers to a patella which is not tracking smoothly in the groove of the underlying femur during normal knee movement.

A procedure to improve the range of movement of a stiff joint, conducted under anaesthesia.

The Maquet procedure is a surgical procedure to realign the patella (knee cap) to help relieve kneecap pain.

Bone marrow can be stimulated in the knee by drilling or micro-fracturing through the bone just below the joint cartilage, releasing cells, including stem cells, into the area to enhance healing.

A matrix is something that offers support to something more fragile, and in the knee it usually refers to the cartilage matrix.

A technique of cartilage repair using the patient's own cells.

The Mc Murray test is a test for integrity of the knee meniscus.

Abbreviation of 'medial collateral ligament'.

This is a 'position' word, to help to describe the position of body parts. It means 'on the inner aspect' - so the side of the knees which touch each other are the medial sides, while the outer sides of the knees are the lateral sides.

The medial collateral ligament is a band of fibrous tissue supporting the medial (inner) aspect of the knee joint.

The medial patello-femoral ligament is a small but important ligament stretching from the inner aspect of the patella (knee cap) to the femur bone.

A surgical procedure to tighten the tissues on the medial aspect of the patella.

A mediopatellar plica is a flattened band of synovium (joint lining) inside the knee, left over from the embryological development of the knee.

A membrane is a thin filmy tissue enclosing an anatomical structure. It is a non-specific term.

A meniscal allograft is a transplant procedure when a meniscus is taken ('harvested') from a cadaver donor and inserted into living recipient, where it replaces their own meniscus.

Meniscal arrows are tiny bio-degradeable polymer harpoons which are used to hold together the torn fragments of a 'knee cartilage' (meniscus) tear until the fragments join together and the arrow dissolves.

Meniscal cysts are little bags of joint fluid under pressure, usually appearing as a tender lump along the joint line.

Rebuilding absent meniscal tissue, eg with scaffolds

Tears in the substance of the meniscus.

Same as 'meniscal allograft'.

A meniscectomy is the surgical procedure of removing a meniscus.

Plural of 'meniscus'.

The meniscofemoral ligament is a fibrous structure running from the posterior horn (the part at the back) of the lateral meniscus to the medial femoral condyle.

The meniscus is the shock absorber of the knee.

The meniscus cartilage or 'semi-lunar' cartilage is nowadays called the 'meniscus', although the term is sometimes still used when wanting to differentiate meniscus cartilage from articular cartilage.

Stem cells capable of differentiating into bone, cartilage, and related tissue types.

The part of a long bone that is the growing area, just next to the growth plate. With maturity it turns into proper bone and stops growing.

Microfracture is a surgical procedure where a tiny 'pick' is used to spike holes through damaged joint cartilage into the bone below, to allow migration of marrow cells into the resultant clot, and facilitate new cartilage formation.

A knee rehabilitation exercise.

A knee rehabilitation exercise.

A knee rehabilitation exercise.

Knee replacement performed with a smaller incision, and using special techniques and instruments.

Same as 'mini-incision knee arthroplasty'.

This is a combination of rotational deformities that may lead to patellar (kneecap) pain and instability. Usually the femur is rorated outwards, but the tibia rotated inwards, and the kneecaps face towardss one another (squinting or winking patellae).

A mosaicplasty is a surgical procedure to repair damaged joint (hyaline) cartilage.

Same as 'loose body'.

Abbreviation of 'medial patello-femoral ligament'.

Abbreviation of 'magnetic resonance imaging'.

Mesenchymal stem cell - capable of developing into bone, cartilage and related tissues.

Abbreviation of 'Manipulation under anaesthesia'.

This is a kind of knot used by surgeons when suturing (sewing) a torn meniscus. The knot resembles a tiny mulberry on the outsde of the joint.

Muscle stimulation is a therapeutic modality that physiotherapists can use to help strengthen the muscles around the knee.

A condition where bone forms in muscle.