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J Knee Surg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2525-4565
Original Article

Relationship of Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tears with Proximal Tibial Morphology and Knee Osteoarthritis

Eren Çamur 
1   Department of Radiology, Ministry of Health Ankara 29 Mayis State Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
,
Semra Duran 
2   Department of Radiology, Ministry of Health Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

The meniscus is vital to knee function. Medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) causes a loss of hoop tension. This, in turn, reduces the meniscus's ability to transmit load. Thus, the higher pressure on the weight-bearing surface speeds up joint degeneration. proximal tibial morphology (PTM) describes the geometric structure of tibia near the knee joint and tibial plateau. Medial posterior tibial slope angle (MPTSA) has the most significant impact on knee biomechanics among PTM measurements. This study aims to investigate the relationship between PTM and MMPRT, and evaluate the association between medial meniscal extrusion amount (MMEA) and osteoarthritis (OA) in patients with MMPRT.

This retrospective study analyzed knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 100 patients with MMPRT and 100 age, gender, side-matched controls. MPTSA, mediolateral length (MLL), medial anteroposterior width (MAW), and lateral anteroposterior width (LAW) were used to evaluate PTM. MMEA and tear gap (TG) correlation and their relationship with knee OA severity was assessed.

MPTSA was significantly higher in MMPRT group compared with controls (p < 0.001). Moderate positive correlation was found between MMEA and OA severity (R 2 = 0.445, p < 0.001). Cartilage loss was observed when MMEA exceeded 4 mm (sensitivity: 80.68%; specificity: 83.33%). MMEA increased by 1.10 mm for each 1 mm increase in TG.

This groundbreaking study reveals that steeper medial tibial plateau is a significant risk factor for MMPRT. Strikingly, MMEA exceeding 4 mm serves as a critical threshold for cartilage loss which is the first finding of OA, potentially revolutionizing treatment decisions. These findings not only enhance our understanding of MMPRT pathomechanics but also provide crucial insights for early intervention strategies, potentially altering the course of OA progression in patients with MMPRT.

Keywords

meniscus - root tear - morphology - osteoarthritis - knee

Authors' Contributions

E.Ç.: Conceptualization, Data collection and analysis, Methodology, Manuscript writing and editing.


S.D.: Methodology, Manuscript review and editing.


Disclosure

The content of the publication is entirely the authors' responsibility, and the authors examined and edited it as necessary. Each author states that the submitted article, either in full or in part, has not been previously published or is not being assessed for publication as an original article in either printed form or as digital media.


Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to their containing information that could compromise the privacy of patients.


Ethical Approval

Ethics committee approval was received for this study from Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Ethics Committee 1, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences University (Ethics Committee Approval number: E1-23-3233).




Publication History

Received: 27 August 2024

Accepted: 26 January 2025

Article published online:
01 April 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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