Meniscus Tear — NPTE Cheat Sheet

• What it is:
• Injury to the medial or lateral meniscus — the knee’s shock-absorbing cartilage — often caused by twisting or deep flexion.
• Classic signs:
• Joint line pain
• Locking or catching
• Clicking
• Delayed swelling (24–48 hours)
• Pain with squatting/twisting
• Rule-in test:
• McMurray test (NPTE’s go-to)
• Rule-out clues:
• Immediate swelling → ACL
• Posterior sag → PCL
• Medial tenderness → MCL
• NPTE trap:
• Locking/catching = meniscus, even if the question tries to distract you.
• Best treatment:
• ROM, swelling reduction, quads/hip strength, progressive loading.
• Mock question included: Yes.

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