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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-05-2016 | Knee

Larger medial femoral to tibial condylar dimension may trigger posterior root tear of medial meniscus

Authors: Jun Young Chung, Hyung Keun Song, Myung Kuk Jung, Hyeong Tak Oh, Joon Ho Kim, Ji-Sang Yoon, Byoung-Hyun Min

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 5/2016

Abstract

Purpose

The major meniscal functions are load bearing, load distribution, and shock absorption by increasing the tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) contact area and dissipating axial loads by conversion into hoop stresses. The increased hoop strain stretches the meniscus in outward direction towards radius, causing extrusion, which is associated with the root tear and resultant degenerative osteoarthritis. Since the larger contact area of medial TFJ may increase the hoop stresses, we hypothesized that the larger medial femoral to tibial condylar dimension would contribute to the development of medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT). Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between MMPRT and medial femoral to tibial condylar dimension.

Methods

A case–control study was conducted to compare medial femoral to tibial condylar dimensions of patients with complete MMPRT (n = 59) with those of demography-matched controls (n = 59) during the period from 2010 to 2013. In each patient, MRIs were reviewed and several parameters were measured including articulation width of medial femoral condyle (MFC) at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°, medial tibial condyle (MTC) width, degree of meniscal extrusion, and medial femoral to tibial condylar width ratio (MFC/MTC) at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°, respectively. Demographic and radiographic data were assessed.

Results

A larger medial femoral to tibial condylar dimension was associated with MMPRT at 0° and 30° knee angles. Patients with MFC/MTC greater than 0.9 at 0° also showed about 2.5-fold increase in the chance of MMPRT. Those with meniscal extrusion greater than 3 mm also had about 17.1 times greater chance for the presence of MMPRT accordingly.

Conclusions

A larger medial femoral to tibial condylar dimension may be considered as one of the regional contributors to the outbreak of MMPRT, and medial femoral to tibial condylar width ratio greater than 0.9 at 0° knee angle may be considered as a significant risk factor for MMPRT.

Level of evidence

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Title: Larger medial femoral to tibial condylar dimension may trigger posterior root tear of medial meniscus
Authors: Jun Young Chung
Hyung Keun Song
Myung Kuk Jung
Hyeong Tak Oh
Joon Ho Kim
Ji-Sang Yoon
Byoung-Hyun Min
Publication date: 01-05-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3618-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Larger medial femoral to tibial condylar dimension may trigger posterior root tear of medial meniscus

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of evidence

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