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Radial displacement of the lateral meniscus before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

  • Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to investigate radial displacement (RD) of the lateral meniscus in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by using magnetic resonance imaging both pre- and post-operatively.

Materials and methods

This study included 59 knees that had undergone ACL reconstruction. The length that extruded from the lateral tibial plateau was measured in the coronal plane.

Results

Mean pre-operative RD was 1.8 mm, and mean post-operative RD was 2.4 mm (P < 0.001). Mean pre-operative RD was 1.6 mm in the group with lateral meniscus tears <1 cm, and 2.8 mm in the group with tears ≥1 cm (P = 0.033); the corresponding post-operative values were 2.1 and 3.2 mm (P = 0.038), respectively. Mean pre-operative RD was 1.9 mm in the longitudinal tear group and 2.4 mm in the radial tear, flap tear, or complex tear group (P = 0.21); the corresponding post-operative values were 2.2 and 4.1 mm (P = 0.036), respectively.

Conclusion

We found that RD of the lateral meniscus was not a rare finding, and that RD was related to the meniscus status. Moreover, RD did not improve after ACL reconstruction. Thus, the treatment for meniscus tear should be carefully assessed.

Level of evidence Level 4, case series, therapeutic studies.

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Acknowledgments

No benefits or funds were received in support of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Takatsuki Red Cross Hospital, 1-1-1, Abuno, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-1096, Japan

    Atsushi Ichiba

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Veritus Hospital, Kawanishi, Japan

    Kaoru Makuya

Authors
  1. Atsushi Ichiba
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  2. Kaoru Makuya
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Correspondence to Atsushi Ichiba.

Additional information

Presented at the 13th European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy Congress.

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Ichiba, A., Makuya, K. Radial displacement of the lateral meniscus before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 132, 321–327 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1371-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1371-9

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