ABSTRACT
The caudal pole of a normal medial meniscus may fold forward if cranial drawer is present. This can mimic a menis cal tear. The meniscus should be pushed back into normal position and re-evaluated. The meniscus should be left intact or in situ unless damaged and the joint stabil ized by an appropriate technique. ii. The damaged meniscal tissue should be excised. Complete meniscectomy induces degenera tive joint disease by altering load distribution and transmission through the joint. Therefore, alternatives to total meniscectomy should be considered where appro - priate. Caudal pole hemimenisc ectomy conferred no significant advantage over total medial meniscectomy in one experimental study in sheep but has been used in dogs. If a single longitudinal midsubstance tear of the caudal pole is found, the detached axial por - tion of the meniscus (the ‘bucket handle’) should be excised and the outer rim of menis - cus preserved. Preservation of one-third or more of the outer rim retains much of the bio mechanical functions of the meniscus.
