Vertical meniscal tear

Vertical meniscal tears are a morphological subtype of meniscal tear where a component of the tear is seen extending in a vertical orientation parallel to the circumference of the meniscus.

Epidemiology

They tend to occur in younger patients following significant knee trauma.

Pathology

Subtypes

• Wrisberg rip
• ramp lesion

Associations

They are often associated with significant knee injuries, especially anterior cruciate ligament tears.

Location

• almost always involve the posterior horn, and most often the peripheral third

Radiographic features

MRI

Intramensical vertical line of increased T2/PD signal intensity contacting either the femoral and/or tibial surfaces of the meniscus. Pure vertical tears spare the free edge of the meniscus.