A meniscal avulsion is a traumatic incident that results in the knee meniscus - or a portion of it - tearing away from its previously firm anchorage to the tibia bone.
Page updated January 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
Floating meniscus
A floating meniscus is really a radiological diagnosis where the MRI scan reveals a fluid gap between the bottom of the meniscus and the tibia bone. where the meniscus has avulsed from the tibia. The meniscus itself is not actually torn, but without this anchorage to the tibia it becomes incompetent as a shock absorber.
Meniscus incompetence after meniscal root avulsion
Avulsion of the meniscal root can lead to immediate incompetence, and the meniscus may extrude over the edge of the tibia.
Quick links
Peer-reviewed papers
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Quote:
"The presence of a floating meniscus on MRI is a result of significant trauma to the knee leading to meniscal avulsion and is often associated with significant ligamentous injury."
Citation: Bikkina RS, Tujo CA, Schraner AB, Major NM. The "floating" meniscus: MRI in knee trauma and implications for surgery.
Synonyms:
Meniscus avulsion
Floating knee meniscus
Floating meniscus
Menisco-tibial ligament avulsion
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