Risk Factors Comparison for Radial and Horizontal Tears

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Posterior horn medial meniscus tears encompass various types, including horizontal, radial, and complex tears.
• Understanding the distinct risk factors for different tear patterns is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the risk factors associated with radial tears versus horizontal tears in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.
• To identify significant clinical and biomechanical factors contributing to these specific meniscal tear types.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 407 patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment for medial meniscus tears.
• Data collected included age, gender, symptom duration, BMI, trauma history, tibial slope, knee valgus angle, and Outerbridge cartilage grading.
• Multifactor non-conditional logistic regression analysis was employed to determine risk factors.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in age, trauma history, tibial slope, or symptom duration between radial and horizontal tear groups.
• Significant differences were observed in gender, BMI, knee valgus angle, and cartilage grading.
• Multifactor analysis identified knee valgus angle, age, and cartilage grading as independent risk factors for medial meniscus tears.

Conclusions:

• Knee valgus angle, patient age, and cartilage degeneration severity are significant risk factors for posterior horn medial meniscus tears.
• Radial tears are more prevalent in elderly patients with genu varum (knee varus) and advanced cartilage degeneration, often associated with osteoarthritis.
• Horizontal tears may have different underlying etiological factors that warrant further investigation.