36 Structure and Function
(A) (B) (C)Figure 4.4 Schematic depiction of the hoop tension theory. (A,B) The intact meniscus acts as a hammock hanging under
tension between the palms. The hammock holds a person only if it is firmly secured to the palms. Similarly, the meniscus
acts as a load-bearing structure only if its ligaments are firmly anchored to the tibia. (C) If the anchorage of the hammock
is cut, the person falls to the ground. The failure of the hammock is caused by its inability to develop the tension between
the two palms. Similarly, a transected meniscus (meniscal release) cannot develop the hoop tension (tension between the
palms) to function as a load-bearing structure. Copyright©Samantha J. Elmhurst at http://www.livingart.org.uk.
argued that leaving intact menisci in a CrCL-
deficient stifle places them at unacceptable risk
for subsequent damage, driving the need for
additional surgery. This latter argument has
been used as the rationale for meniscal release
or meniscectomy in TPLO-, tibial tuberosity
advancement (TTA)-, and extracapsular-treated
CrCL-deficient stifles for the past 15 years (see
Chapters 25, 27, and 28). Meniscal release elim-
inates important functions in the stifle joint, but
may decrease the risk of subsequent meniscal
tear. As such, the surgeon needs to make treat-
ment decisions regarding the menisci carefully
and with informed client consent (see Chap-
ters 35 and 36).
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