Subchondral insufficiency fractures of the medial tibial condyle are associated with medial meniscus extrusion: A retrospective observational study

Background

To the best of our knowledge, no prior studies have identified any risk factors for subchondral insufficiency fractures of the medial tibial condyle. This study aimed to explain relationships between subchondral insufficiency fractures of the medial tibial condyle and the meniscus status, lower extremity alignment, or osteoporosis.

Methods

This retrospective study included 325 consecutive patients whose chief complaint is knee joint pain and who had visited one institution between April 2016 and March 2021, of which 70 patients (8 men and 62 women) who had suspected subchondral insufficiency fractures of the medial tibial condyle had undergone magnetic resonance imaging and radiographic examination. These patients were divided into two groups based on the results of their magnetic resonance imaging: the insufficiency fracture group included 46 patients who had subchondral insufficiency fractures of the medial tibial condyle and the nonfracture group included 24 patients without fractures. The meniscus injury and medial meniscus extrusion (MME) were evaluated by using magnetic resonance imaging. The Kellgren–Lawrence grade, the femorotibial angle, and the percent mechanical axis (%MA) were evaluated with the use of knee radiographs. T-scores were also measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with a bone densitometer.

Results

MME were significantly larger and the %MA was significantly smaller in the insufficiency fracture group than that in the nonfracture group. The prevalence of medial meniscus injuries and pathological MME were higher in the insufficiency fracture group than those in the nonfracture group. The prevalence of varus knee and osteoporosis did not vary remarkably different between the two groups.

Conclusion

The patients who had insufficiency fractures of the medial tibial condyle tended to have medial meniscus extrusion.