Common Mistakes in Meniscal Injury

The menisci are essential for knee joint stability and function. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be an invaluable tool for evaluating a wide range of meniscal injuries, yet various injury patterns are underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, potentially leading to persistent clinical symptoms and early joint degeneration. Additionally, these pathologies may be difficult to recognize both clinically and during arthroscopy. This review highlights commonly missed diagnoses, arranged in descending order of how frequently they are misinterpreted in routine practice: medial meniscocapsular junction tears, posterior root tears of the lateral meniscus, posterior horn tears of the lateral meniscus, lateral meniscocapsular junction tears, and posterior root tears of the medial meniscus. We also delve into relevant anatomy, normal MRI appearances, injury findings and patterns, differential diagnoses, and tips for image interpretation. By understanding these commonly missed injuries and using a targeted search strategy, radiologists can enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient care.