It is wise to keep and repair the meniscus rather than removing it when the injury is to which of the following?
First, I need to recall the anatomy of the meniscus. The meniscus has different zones based on blood supply. The outer third is the red zone, which has a good blood supply and can heal. The inner two-thirds are the white zone, which has poor blood supply and doesn't heal well. So, injuries in the red zone are more likely to be repaired, while those in the white zone are usually removed.
The core concept here is the blood supply of the meniscus. The question is testing knowledge of where meniscal injuries can be repaired versus excised. The answer would be the red zone, which is the peripheral part with better vascularity.
Now, the options probably include different parts. Let's say the options are: A. Peripheral third, B. Medial meniscus, C. Inner third, D. Posterior horn. Then the correct answer would be A. Peripheral third (red zone).
The incorrect options would be areas with poor blood supply. For example, the inner third (C) is the white zone, so it can't heal. The medial meniscus (B) is more prone to injury because of its attachment to the medial collateral ligament, but the key is the location within the meniscus. The posterior horn (D) might be part of the white zone depending on the exact area.
Clinical pearl: Remember the "red zone" (outer third) has better healing potential, so prioritize repair there. This is a high-yield point for surgery and orthopedics exams.
**Core Concept**
The meniscus has a zonal blood supply: the *outer third (red zone)* is well-vascularized and capable of healing, while the *inner two-thirds (white zone)* lacks vascularity and cannot regenerate. Surgical repair is preferred in the red zone to preserve meniscal function.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Injuries in the **peripheral third (red zone)** of the meniscus involve the outer region supplied by the middle geniculate artery. This area has sufficient blood flow to support healing via arthroscopic repair. Preserving the meniscus reduces long-term joint degeneration by maintaining shock absorption and load distribution in the knee.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Medial meniscus* is more prone to injury due to its attachment to the medial collateral ligament, but this is not a repairable zone—location within the meniscus matters more.
**Option B:** *Posterior horn* injuries often occur in the white zone (poor vascularity), making repair unlikely to succeed.
**Option C:** *Inner third (white zone)* lacks blood supply, necessitating meniscectomy rather than repair.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Remember the "red-red" and "red-white" zones: the outer third (red-red) has dual vascularity and heals well, while the inner two-thirds (red-white) has no intrinsic blood flow. Prioritize repair for peripheral tears to prevent osteoarthritis.
**Correct Answer: A. Peripheral third (