An analysis of radiologic and anatomical parameters associated with traumatic isolated medial meniscus tear patterns in Ligament-Intact knees.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to analyze the radiologic and anatomical parameters associated with traumatic isolated medial meniscus tear patterns in ligament-intact knees.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 195 patients aged 18-45 years who experienced traumatic knee pain and were diagnosed with isolated medial meniscal tears via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 2014 and 2021. Patients were categorized according to tear patterns into longitudinal, bucket-handle, radial, and complex tear groups. The control group consisted of 61 healthy individuals aged 18-45 years who underwent knee MRI for unrelated symptoms and had no detectable intra- or extra-articular knee abnormalities. Radiologic and anatomical parameters were measured on MRI scans, and statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis tests, multinomial logistic regression analysis, and Spearman's correlation tests.

Results: No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of age, gender, and BMI (P < 0.05). Study results indicated that increased tibial tubercle-to-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance (P < 0.001) and medial tibial slope (P < 0.001) are risk factors for developing longitudinal, bucket-handle, and complex medial meniscus tears. Additionally, low medial meniscal bone angle (MBA) (P = 0.019) and medial meniscal cartilage angle (MCA) (P = 0.004) values were linked to an increased risk of radial tears. These findings suggest that specific anatomical and radiological factors predispose individuals to certain types of medial meniscus tears.

Conclusion: In ligament-intact knees, increased TT-TG distance and increased medial tibial slope were associated with longitudinal, bucket-handle, and complex tear patterns in the medial meniscus, while low MBA and MCA values were associated with radial tears. Findings of this study offer valuable insights for orthopedics and traumatology specialists in enhancing prevention and management strategies for medial meniscal tears, laying a foundational basis for further research.