Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between nontraumatic
medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) and bone morphology of the knee with a
particular emphasis on MMPR impingement.
Methods
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were examined between January 2018 and December
2020. MRI findings of patients with traumatic MMPRT, Kellgren Lawrence stage 3–4 arthropathy
on radiographs, single- or multiple-ligament injuries and/or those who underwent treatment
for these diseases, and surgery in and around the knee were excluded from the study.
MRI measurements included medial femoral condylar angle (MFCA), intercondylar distance
(ICD), and intercondylar notch width (ICNW), distal/posterior medial femoral condylar
offset ratio, notch shape, medial tibial slope (MTS) angle, and medial proximal tibial
angle (MPTA) measurements and spur presence and were compared between groups. All
measurements were performed by two board-certified orthopedic surgeons on a best agreement
basis.
Results
MRI examinations of patients aged 40-60 were analyzed. MRI findings were divided into
two groups: the study group of MRI findings of patients with MMPRT (n = 100) and the control group of MRI findings of patients without MMPRT (n = 100). MFCA was found to be significantly higher in the study group (mean: 46.5
± 3.58) than in the control group (mean: 40.04 ± 4.61) (P < .001). In the study group, the ICD (study group mean: 76.26 ± 4.89; control group
mean: 78.18 ± 6.1) was significantly narrower (P = .018), and the ICNW (study group mean: 17.19 ± 2.23; control group mean: 20.48
± 2.13) was significantly shorter (P < .001). The ICNW/ICD ratio was significantly lower in patients in the study group
(0.22 ± 0.02) than in the control group (0.25 ± 0.02) (P < .001). Bone spurs were present in 84% of the study group and only in 28% of those
in the control group. In the study group, the most common notch type was A-type with
78%, while the least common was the U-type notch with 10%. However, in the control
group, the most common notch type was A-type with 43%, and the least common was the
W-type notch with 22%. The distal/posterior medial femoral condylar offset ratio was
statistically lower in the study group (0.72 ± 0.07) than in the control group 0.78
± 0.07) (P < .001). No significant intergroup differences were found in MTS (study group mean:
7.51 ±2.59; control group mean: 7.83 ± 2.57) (P = .390) and MPTA (study group mean: 86.92 ±2.15; control group mean: 87.48 ±1.8)
measurements (P = .67).
Conclusions
Increased medial femoral condylar angle, low distal/posterior femoral offset ratio,
narrow intercondylar distance and intercondylar notch width, A-type notch shape, and
spur presence are associated with MMPRT.
Level of Evidence
Level III, retrospective cohort study.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 01, 2023
Accepted:
February 15,
2023
Received:
May 25,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America
