Meniscotibial ligament strains: a prospective survey

Medial knee pain is an increasingly common presentation in sports medicine practice. A prospective review was undertaken of 72 patients, mean age 48 years, seen in 1986-1987. The physical findings which were most diagnostic were a loss of some degrees of flexion which was painful medially when forced, and tenderness over the posteromedial joint line. Treatment was either injection of local steroid, or physiotherapy, together with emphasis on quadriceps exercise. Five patients failed to respond and were referred for arthroscopy. Nine patients relapsed once but no subsequent episode has occurred. Meniscotibial ligament strain is a common cause of knee pain in middle-aged sports people.