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Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 10/2019

01-10-2019 | KNEE

Discoid lateral meniscus: a simple horizontal tear was associated with less articular cartilage degeneration compared to other types of tear

Authors: Won-Joon Cho, Jong-Min Kim, Bum-Sik Lee, Hyo-June Kim, Seong-Il Bin

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 10/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

The relationship between the tear type of discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) and articular cartilage degeneration has not been well studied.

Methods

Data from patients with DLM tears who underwent arthroscopic surgery, between 2008 and 2016, were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic variables were obtained from medical records. The types of DLM and meniscal tear and status of cartilage were assessed using operation records and arthroscopic images. Patients were assigned to horizontal or non-horizontal tear groups according to the types of the tear. Factors affecting cartilage degeneration of the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) and lateral tibial plateau (LTP) were identified using logistic regression analysis. The horizontal tear group was divided into two subgroups on the basis of the median value of duration of symptoms and difference in cartilage degeneration between the two subgroups was evaluated.

Results

Overall, 355 knees were enrolled and assigned to the horizontal (n = 53) or the non-horizontal (n = 302) tear groups. The incidence of International Cartilage Repair Society grades 2–4 cartilage lesions of the LFC (0%, P < 0.001) and LTP (24.5%, P < 0.001) was significantly lower in the horizontal tear group than in the non-horizontal tear group. Horizontal tear [LFC, odds ratio (OR) = 0.02, P < 0.001; LTP, OR = 0.27, P < 0.001] and age (LFC, OR = 1.04, P < 0.001; LTP, OR = 1.03, P < 0.001) were significantly related to cartilage status. There was no difference in cartilage degeneration between the two subgroups in the horizontal tear group.

Conclusions

A simple horizontal tear was associated with less articular cartilage degeneration compared to other types of tear in the DLM. In the case of simple horizontal tear, there was no difference in the degree of cartilage degeneration according to the duration of symptoms. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform surgical treatment promptly in cases of simple horizontal tears unless the patient’s symptoms are severe.

Level of evidence

III, Case–Control Study.
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Metadata
Title
Discoid lateral meniscus: a simple horizontal tear was associated with less articular cartilage degeneration compared to other types of tear
Authors
Won-Joon Cho
Jong-Min Kim
Bum-Sik Lee
Hyo-June Kim
Seong-Il Bin
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 10/2019
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-019-05363-z

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