Relationship Between Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear and Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Abstract

 Medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) can occur in middle-aged patients who have a sudden posteromedial painful popping event during light activities. MMPRTs are more common in patients with increased age, female gender, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and varus knee alignment. In addition, descending knee motions associated with descending stairs, steps, and downhill slopes are the most common injury pattern of MMPRTs. High flexion activities of the knee are not the commonest cause of this disorder. An accurate diagnosis of the MMPRT using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important for preventing the progression of knee osteoarthritis following the injury. There are several useful MRI findings such as giraffe neck, cleft, ghost, radial tear, and posteromedial extrusion to diagnose the disorder. The combination of MRI findings and radial tear signs is important for an accurate diagnosis of MMPRT. Nonoperative management leads to poor clinical outcomes and is associated with a relatively high rate of knee arthroplasty.

 Transtibial pullout repairs are considered to be a useful treatment option to obtain better clinical outcomes in patients with this disorder if the patients meet operative indications. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategy for affected patients are necessary to prevent sequential and rapid progression of the knee osteoarthritis.