To report the differences between previous articles in Korea on the common occurence of lateral meniscus tears and our cases, and also which clinical symptoms and signs are the most reliable for diagnosis of meniscal tear.

We analysed 118 patients who were confirmed to have a meniscal tear by arthroscopy from May 1996 to May 1998. The Chi-Square test was used for statistical analysis.

There is no statistical difference of frequency between tears of the medial meniscus and those of the lateral meniscus. The most frequent clinical symptom is feeling of subluxation and sign is McMurray test. A combination of McMurray and squatting test is the most frequent positive sign of meniscal tear in our cases.

In our cases, the frequency of medial meniscus tears is more common than those of the previous articles in Korea. To increase the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of meniscal tear, repeated and accurate history taking and physical examination, including above symptoms and signs are very important.