The meniscocapsular junction is the region where the knee meniscus attaches to the capsule that surrounds the knee joint.
Page updated April 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
Why is a meniscocapsular junction lesion significant?
Meniscocapsular junction tears are generally 'occult', and can be totally missed during arthroscopy unless the surgeon follows a meticulous system of examination.
Damage to the area where the meniscus is tethered to the capsule may be missed on an MRI scan, and cannot be seen during arthroscopy without probing. So it may go unrecognised - commonly when there is a concomitant ligament injury (eg ACL) dominating the clinical picture. Their significance become apparent when knee laxity continues despite ligament reconstruction.
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Quote from peer-reviewed paper:
"....this type of injury is often missed, both during MRI reading and due to its "blind" point of arthroscopic vision....[and]....may lead to meniscocapsular or meniscotibial disruption....."
Citation: Taneja AK, Miranda FC, Rosemberg LA, Santos DCB. Meniscal ramp lesions: an illustrated review. Insights Imaging. 2021 Sep 25;12(1):134. doi: 10.1186/s13244-021-01080-9. PMID: 34564751; PMCID: PMC8464645.
The meniscocapsular junction is a vulnerable area
The integrity of the menicocapsular junction is not the same all the way around the two menisci.
In particular there is a gap at the back of the lateral meniscus where the popliteus tendon passes between the two, creating a vulnerable area there.
Forum discussions
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Identifying the issue.
- What does this mean? Help. Do i need an op?
Struggling to find answers.