Incarceration of the meniscus in fractures of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia in children

Four cases of trapping of the meniscus in type II or III fractures of the intercondylar eminence of the tibia in children are reported. At operation the fragments could not be apposed until the meniscus had been lifted out of the fracture. In our opinion, if they had not been operated on these patients would have had persistent trouble in the knee, including non-union, loss of extension and laxity of the anterior cruciate ligament. We therefore recommend either operation for type II and type III lesions or arthroscopy. If the meniscus is trapped we suggest that it should be lifted out and the fragments apposed under arthroscopic control.