Prevalence and risk factors of medial meniscal ramp lesions in patients undergoing primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at a tertiary center.

Abstract

Background: Ramp lesions are injuries of the peripheral meniscocapsular attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and are commonly associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Failure to identify these lesions may compromise knee stability and outcomes after ACL reconstruction (ACLR).

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ramp lesions among patients undergoing primary ACLR at a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia. The secondary objective was to identify patient- and injury-related risk factors associated with ramp lesions.

Study design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included adult patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction between November 2022 and December 2025. Patients with prior surgery, multiligamentous injuries (except MCL injuries), fractures, or incomplete records were excluded. Ramp lesions were identified intraoperatively. Demographic and clinical variables were analyzed using univariate logistic regression.

Results: Among 155 patients, ramp lesion prevalence was 3.9% (6/155). Older age and longer time from injury to surgery were significant predictors (p < 0.05). On continuous analysis, both age (OR = 1.151, 95% CI 1.024-1.294; p = 0.018) and time from injury to surgery (OR = 1.028, 95% CI 1.005-1.052; p = 0.017) remained significant. Sex, BMI, MCL injury, and lateral meniscal injury were not significantly associated.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that older age and longer time from injury to surgery are associated with the occurrence of ramp lesions. Future prospective studies should assess the prevalence of ramp lesions while minimizing information and observer bias and should investigate the interplay among knee morphometry, activity level, and biomechanical forces leading to ramp lesion development across diverse populations. The relatively low prevalence observed in this study may be related to diagnostic limitations, as ramp lesions are often missed when only standard anterior arthroscopic portals are used. Techniques such as posteromedial exploration or trans-notch visualization may improve detection. Differences in surgical technique and surgeon awareness may also influence identification, highlighting the need for systematic intraoperative evaluation.