A floating meniscus is a diagnosis based on a scan where the radiologist observes that the knee meniscus has come away from its normal attachment to the tibia and is 'floating' rather than fixed.
The condition is generally due to a meniscal avulsion, where the menisco-tibial ligament - which usually anchors the meniscus - tears away from the bone on its lower surface.
(IMAGE: left: intact attachment, right: avulsed).
(IMAGE: left: intact attachment, right: avulsed).
Floating meniscus
The MRI scan shows a fluid gap between the bottom of the meniscus and the tibia bone. Generally, the meniscus itself remains intact, but without this anchorage the meniscus becomes incompetent as a shock absorber and arthritis may ensue if the situation is not surgically remedied.
Synonyms:
meniscal avulsion
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CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS
The “Floating” Meniscus: MRI in Knee Trauma and Implications for Surgery Bikkina RS, Tujo CA, Schraner AB and Nancy M. Major NM. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2005;184: 200-204.
Meniscal Avulsion. Case submitted by M Venkatesh. Case Discussion and Images.
See also -
- Meniscal avulsion
- Meniscotibial ligament
- Meniscofemoral ligament
- Meniscal extrusion
- Meniscal root avulsion
