Association of Morphological Changes in the Posterior Horn of the Meniscus of Knee With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: A New Biological Evaluation Index.

Abstract

Background: The shape and size of the meniscus are closely related to the stability of the knee joint and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Studies have confirmed the correlation between meniscal morphology and isolated ACL injury.

Purpose: To investigate meniscal parameters, including morphological changes, in participants with isolated ACL injury.

Study design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: This retrospective study, conducted from January to December 2021, compared 70 patients with isolated ACL injury with 70 patients with intact ACL. The meniscal slopes and posterior meniscal angles were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. The meniscal slopes include the slope of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus (SAHMM), slope of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (SPHMM), slope of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus (SAHLM), and slope of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (SPHLM). The posterior meniscal angles include the posterior base angle of the medial meniscus (PBAMM) and the posterior base angle of the lateral meniscus (PBALM). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of meniscal morphological parameters in judging ACL injury.

Results: The SPHMM in participants with ACL injury was greater (mean, 23.24° ± 3.42°) than that in participants without (mean, 21.88° ± 3.35°) (P = .019). The PBAMM of participants with ACL injury was significantly higher than that in participants with intact ACL (mean, 73.78° ± 6.32° vs 67.82° ± 5.88°) (P < .001). The ROC cutoff value for SPHMM was 20.65°, and values greater than this had 81.4% sensitivity and 45.7% specificity for ACL injury. The ROC cutoff value for PBAMM was 73.55°, and values greater than this had 54.3% sensitivity and 84.3% specificity.

Conclusion: The authors found a strong association between morphological changes in the SPHMM and ACL injury. Therefore, morphological changes in the meniscus can indicate ACL injury.