Lesions of the knee joint menisci in miners

A group of 206 miners with lesions of the knee joint was studied. Of these the most often seen were lesions of the menisci. Most of the operations were performed between 26 and 35 years of age. The average exposure equalled approximately 14 years. Congenital predisposition failed to be proved. The ratio of the medial meniscal lesions to the lateral meniscal lesions was 11:2. Attention was paid to the types of lesion and the incidence of associated lesions of the knee joint. The most often seen were the circumferential and the bucket handle types of lesion and the posterior aspect lesions. Associated lesions of the knee joint were disclosed in 77 operated miners. We are of the opinion that circumferential lesion and the bow-like rupture of the meniscus, the most often encountered types of lesion, are due to excessive load on the meniscus, the action of the force transferred on the knee joint at work on uneven terrain. Of importance is also the blood supply and the inner structure of the meniscus. The quadriceps muscle atrophy was most often found as falling within a range of from 1.1 to 2 cm difference between the healthy and the damaged limb as measured 15 cm above the patella. The relatively more frequent incidence of the associated lesion of the knee joint and quadriceps muscle atrophy in cases with lesions of the lateral meniscus is explained by late diagnosis of the lesion of the lateral meniscus. With respect to the more frequent incidence of lesions of the lateral meniscus in miners (11:2) as against common population (10:1), this fact should be taken into account.