American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What are common symptoms associated with meniscal injuries?

1. Swelling and redness

2. Locking and catching

3. Heat and tenderness

4. Severe pain during extension

The correct answer is: Locking and catching

Meniscal injuries, which involve damage to the cartilage in the knee joint, are characterized by several distinctive symptoms. Locking and catching are particularly common symptoms related to meniscal tears. This occurs because the torn meniscus can occasionally become displaced within the joint, leading to mechanical blockage. When this happens, the knee may lock in place, preventing full range of motion and causing significant discomfort when attempting to move the knee. Additionally, the mechanical nature of the injury often results in a sensation of catching or clicking when the knee moves. These symptoms are directly tied to how the meniscus interacts with the knee ligaments and joint surfaces during motion. Recognizing these symptoms is critical for early diagnosis and proper treatment of meniscal injuries, which might involve therapies ranging from conservative management to surgical options. While other symptoms such as swelling and redness, heat and tenderness, and severe pain during extension can occur, they are more associated with general inflammatory responses or different types of knee injuries rather than being exclusively indicative of meniscal tears. Therefore, locking and catching are hallmark signs that strongly suggest a meniscal injury.