Meniscus Bucket Handle Tear​

Tears receive their name based on the appearance of the tear and wear the tear originates in the meniscus. A bucket handle tear originates on the outside of the cartilage and has a vertical tear through the meniscus. While parts of the meniscus are not torn, the torn outside cartilage will “pull” into the middle of the knee. The bucket handle tear got its name as the torn piece of cartilage shapes into what looks like a “handle.” An MRI is used to double-check the type and location of the tear. An MRI reveals a bucket handle tear obviously, as the torn meniscus will be next to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), making it seem you have two of the same ligament. Unfortunately, a bucket handle tear goes hand in hand with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, most notably in a contact-sport injury. Arthroscopic knee surgery is used to treat a bucket handle tear. A meniscectomy partial or meniscus repair will be performed. A meniscectomy partial is when the torn cartilage is taken out of the joint, leaving less meniscus than initially. With a faster recovery, a meniscectomy partial is used when the tear appears to have little to no likelihood of healing. A meniscus repair is when the torn cartilage gets put where it belongs and sewn back into one piece. A sufficient blood supply is required to heal the tear correctly. Rehabilitation and physical therapy are often required to get the knee back to full strength at about a four-month, or more, recovery time.