CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF MENISCAL LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Meniscal injuries represent one of the most frequent orthopedic disorders affecting the knee joint, impacting both young and physically active individuals, especially athletes, and older patients due to degenerative processes. These injuries may significantly impair functionality, cause pain, limit movement, and directly affect quality of life, making early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic management essential. Objective: To analyze the scientific literature regarding the diagnosis of meniscal injuries, their epidemiological characteristics, injury patterns, and the main therapeutic approaches adopted in clinical practice. Method: This study consists of a literature review conducted between February and March 2026 through searches in the BVS, LILACS, SciELO, and PubMed/MEDLINE databases, using descriptors related to epidemiology, injuries, clinical manifestations, menisci, and rehabilitation. Initially, 179 studies were identified, and eight articles were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed descriptively, critically, and qualitatively. Results: The analysis of the selected studies showed that meniscal injuries have a higher incidence in young, physically active individuals and athletes, generally associated with traumatic mechanisms involving rotation, impact, and sudden changes of direction, while degenerative injuries predominate in older patients. The studies also demonstrated that magnetic resonance imaging presents high diagnostic accuracy, especially when associated with clinical evaluation. Regarding therapeutic approaches, conservative treatment was predominantly observed as the first-line option, particularly physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises, in addition to a growing tendency toward meniscal preservation through repair techniques, which showed better functional outcomes and lower risk of long-term joint degeneration. Conclusion: Meniscal injuries present high clinical relevance, with different patterns according to age and physical activity level. The association between clinical evaluation and imaging exams, especially magnetic resonance imaging, proved essential for diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, there is an increasing trend toward conservative treatments and meniscal preservation techniques, reinforcing the need for individualized and evidence-based therapeutic approaches.