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Katz et al: The significance of the meniscal flounce sign in canine stifle arthroscopy
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2022

🔍 Key Findings

  • A positive meniscal flounce sign was associated with normal menisci in 95.5% of cases, demonstrating strong predictive value.
  • Absence of the meniscal flounce sign was associated with meniscal tears in 92.7% of cases.
  • Overall diagnostic accuracy of the flounce sign was 94.6%, with 96.6% sensitivity and 90.5% specificity.
  • Most tears in flounce-negative stifles were bucket-handle tears (73.8%), while radial tears were present in some flounce-positive stifles.
  • Radial tears did not consistently eliminate the flounce sign, suggesting they may not disrupt meniscal fiber tension sufficiently.
  • All procedures were arthroscopically performed, with probing and visualization of the medial meniscus' caudal pole.
  • Flounce sign should complement, not replace, probing—especially as some tear types (e.g., radial) may not abolish the sign.
  • Limb positioning and joint distraction may affect flounce visibility, introducing minor observer variability.

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← Articles

Katz et al: The significance of the meniscal flounce sign in canine stifle arthroscopy
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2022

🔍 Key Findings

  • A positive meniscal flounce sign was associated with normal menisci in 95.5% of cases, demonstrating strong predictive value.
  • Absence of the meniscal flounce sign was associated with meniscal tears in 92.7% of cases.
  • Overall diagnostic accuracy of the flounce sign was 94.6%, with 96.6% sensitivity and 90.5% specificity.
  • Most tears in flounce-negative stifles were bucket-handle tears (73.8%), while radial tears were present in some flounce-positive stifles.
  • Radial tears did not consistently eliminate the flounce sign, suggesting they may not disrupt meniscal fiber tension sufficiently.
  • All procedures were arthroscopically performed, with probing and visualization of the medial meniscus' caudal pole.
  • Flounce sign should complement, not replace, probing—especially as some tear types (e.g., radial) may not abolish the sign.
  • Limb positioning and joint distraction may affect flounce visibility, introducing minor observer variability.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Katz 2022 et al., on meniscal flounce sign, what was the sensitivity of the flounce sign for identifying normal menisci?

A. 82.3%
B. 87.5%
C. 90.2%
D. 96.6%
E. 98.9%

Answer: 96.6%

Explanation: Sensitivity for detecting normal menisci based on flounce presence was 96.6%.
In Katz 2022 et al., on meniscal flounce sign, what was the diagnostic accuracy of the sign for indicating an intact or torn meniscus during stifle arthroscopy?

A. 84.5%
B. 88.9%
C. 90.3%
D. 94.6%
E. 97.2%

Answer: 94.6%

Explanation: The flounce sign showed 94.6% diagnostic accuracy in identifying meniscal status.
In Katz 2022 et al., on meniscal flounce sign, which of the following was recommended despite the flounce sign's diagnostic value?

A. Use of ultrasonography only
B. Relying solely on the flounce sign
C. Avoidance of stifle arthroscopy
D. Probing of the meniscus
E. Meniscal release procedure

Answer: Probing of the meniscus

Explanation: Authors emphasized flounce should complement, not replace, probing for full evaluation.
In Katz 2022 et al., on meniscal flounce sign, what percent of menisci with absent flounce sign were found to be torn?

A. 78.2%
B. 85.6%
C. 88.0%
D. 92.7%
E. 96.0%

Answer: 92.7%

Explanation: Absence of flounce sign strongly correlated with meniscal tears (92.7%).
In Katz 2022 et al., on meniscal flounce sign, which meniscal tear type was observed in stifles that retained a positive flounce sign?

A. Bucket-handle tear
B. Vertical longitudinal tear
C. Complex/degenerative tear
D. Radial tear
E. Horizontal cleavage tear

Answer: Radial tear

Explanation: Radial tears did not abolish the flounce sign, likely due to minimal fiber disruption.

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