Isolated Meniscal Ramp Lesion Without Obvious Anterior Cruicate Ligament Rupture

The purpose of the present paper was to study isolated meniscal ramp lesions without obvious ACL rupture. Their biomechanical mechanisms were analyzed and their clinical characteristics were reviewed. The clinical effects of an all-inside horizontal mattress suture for isolated ramp lesions were evaluated.

Twenty isolated meniscal ramp lesion patients without obvious ACL rupture from 2015 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative MRI showed intact ACL and signs of ramp lesions. These isolated ramp lesions were arthroscopically confirmed and repaired through an all-inside horizontal mattress suturing method. MRI was performed 3 months postoperatively to assess isolated ramp lesion healing. The Tegner-Lysholm score and the visual analog scale score were recorded preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was performed to determine statistical significance.

Arthroscopic exploration confirmed isolated ramp lesions and longitudinal ACL splits or degeneration without obvious ACL rupture. MRI 3 months postoperatively showed healing of the isolated ramp lesions. At 2 years postoperatively, the VAS scores were significantly decreased and the Tegner-Lysholm scores were significantly increased. Knee function, without pain, was restored in all patients, including walking, climing and descending stairs, and squatting.

Isolated meniscal ramp lesions without obvious ACL rupture may exist because of ACL longitudinal splits or degeneration and can be repaired through anterolateral and anteromedial portals with an all-inside horizontal-mattress suturing method.