Abstract
Purpose
The purposes of this study were to investigate (1) meniscus status and clinical findings in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured patients to clarify associations between the meniscus posterior root tear (PRT) and knee instability, and (2) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the PRT to clarify sensitivity and specificity of MRI and prevalence of meniscus extrusion.
Methods
Three hundred and seventeen patients with primary ACL reconstruction were included. PRTs for both medial and lateral sides were confirmed by reviewing surgical records. Preoperative MRI was reviewed to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the PRT and meniscus extrusion width (MEW). Clinical information regarding the number of giving-way episodes, preoperative KT-1000 measurements and preoperative pivot shift was also assessed.
Results
Thirty-nine patients had a lateral meniscus (LM) PRT, whereas only four patients had a medial meniscus PRT. One hundred and seventeen patients had no meniscus tear (control). Twenty-eight patients (71.8%) showed positive signs of the LMPRT based on at least one view of MR images, with the coronal view showing the highest sensitivity. MEW in the LMPRT group was significantly larger than that in the control group. The preoperative pivot shift test grade in the LMPRT group was significantly greater than that in the control group. There were no significant differences in other parameters.
Conclusions
In ACL-injured patients, the LMPRT was associated with ALRI as well as with meniscus extrusion. The coronal view of MRI was useful in identifying the LMPRT, although its sensitivity was not high. Therefore, surgeons should prepare to repair PRTs at the time of ACL reconstruction regardless of MRI findings, and they should make every effort to repair the LMPRT.
Level of evidence
III.
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Authors’ contributions
TMi analysed the data and drafted the manuscript. TMu conducted the study. IS conducted the study. TW, TMo, MH, HKa and MK collected the data. KO and TO analysed the data. HKo designed the initial plan, conducted the study and completed the final manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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No funding was received for this study.
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This study was approved by the institutional Review Board in Tokyo Medical and Dental University (research protocol identification number: 1146).
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Minami, T., Muneta, T., Sekiya, I. et al. Lateral meniscus posterior root tear contributes to anterolateral rotational instability and meniscus extrusion in anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 26, 1174–1181 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-017-4569-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-017-4569-8