Bony injury associated with ramp lesion and a double meniscal injury – A hidden terrible triad of the posteromedial knee

Ramp lesions are important injuries that are difficult to detect on MRI and pose a challenge to diagnose on arthroscopy since they require inspection of the posteromedial compartment. No bony injury has been reported in the literature as an associated injury with the ramp lesion. We report a rare case of complete ramp tear of the posterior capsule-meniscal junction associated with fracture of the rim of the posterior medial tibial plateau and a double injury to the posterior medial meniscus forming a terrible triad with poor prognosis. This report has implications on the classifications of ramp lesions, posterior root injuries of the medial meniscus and meniscal tears as fracture of the rim adds a new dimension to these injuries.     

Bilateral bucket handle medial meniscal tears of the knee: A case report

INTRODUCTIONMeniscal tears may cause knee pain and functional impairment. Bilateral bucket-handle meniscal tears is an uncommon condition.PRESENTATION OF CASEThis report presents the case of a 35-year-old male patient with bilateral bucket handle medial meniscal tears that occurred nonsimultaneously. The lesions were treated arthroscopically with partial resection in one knee and meniscal suture in the other.DISCUSSIONBucket handle meniscal tear of meniscus without underlying meniscal, ligamentous pathology or lower limb deformity is a rare condition.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, bilateral bucket handle medial meniscal tears without underlying meniscal anomalies have been reported in only two cases before, and our case is the third one.     

Arthroscopic Direct Repair for a Complete Radial Tear of the Posterior Root of the Medial Meniscus

We report here on a new arthroscopic direct repair technique for a radial tear of the posterior root of the medial meniscus (PRMM) using a posterior trans-septal portal. Radial tears of the PRMM are commonly observed in the elderly population of Korea and Japan, and the life style of these people requires squatting and kneeling down in daily life. A radial tear of the PRMM results in the loss of hoop tension and this accelerates degenerative changes in the knee joint and causes early osteoarthritis. Several reports in the medical literature have focused on various repair techniques for these tears by using pull out sutures. These techniques result in nonanatomic fixation of the meniscus, which may lead to disturbed meniscal excursion and failure to restore hoop tension. Arthroscopic direct repair may contribute to restoring hoop tension and preventing accelerated degenerative changes in the knee joint of these patients.     

膝关节半月板撕裂的磁共振表现

目的进一步认识膝关节半月板撕裂的磁共振成像(MRI)表现。方法回顾分析50例膝关节半月板撕裂的MRI资料,所有病例均经关节镜手术证实。采用永磁型MRI机,场强0.2T。结果50例半月板撕裂中,按照部位分类,半月板撕裂位于内侧半月板前角2例,内侧后角37例,外侧半月板前角5例,外侧后角3例,同时累及半月板前角、体部和后角者内侧2例,外侧1例。按照半月板撕裂的形式分为:水平撕裂8例;垂直撕裂4例;斜形撕裂26例;纵形撕裂3例;放射状撕裂4例;桶柄状撕裂2例;复杂撕裂3例。结论MRI能够清楚显示膝关节半月板撕裂的部位和形式,为临床治疗提供可靠的依据,是目前诊断半月板撕裂的最好的影像学检查方法。     

Editorial Commentary: We Know We Need to Fix Knee Meniscal Radial Root Tears—But How Best to Perform the Repairs?

The present work further contributes to building the base of the research pyramid by noting the importance of repairing knee meniscal radial root tears. Because of the extensive biomechanical studies that have now been published on the restoration of joint mechanics and with what I believe results in a higher likelihood of an improved healing environment with securing the meniscus root tear down to bone, I would strongly recommend that when one does see a meniscus root tear that the transtibial pullout root repair technique be considered over a side-to-side repair. The biggest challenge going forward is to validate and improve the healing potential of knee meniscal radial root repairs.     

The triple PCL sign: bucket handle tears of both medial and lateral menisci in a chronically ACL-deficient knee

Bucket handle tears of both menisci in the setting of acute or chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears of the same knee have rarely been reported in the literature. This article presents a case of a bucket handle tear affecting both the medial and lateral menisci in a patient with chronic ACL rupture. Both bucket handle tears were displaced and locked in the intercondylar notch. A new magnetic resonance image (MRI) sign suggested on sagittal view is called the triple PCL sign, comprising the intact posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the 2 displaced fragments in the intercondylar notch from the two bucket handle tears. The precise diagnosis of this condition is of obvious importance for optimal operative planning. While finding the displaced fragment from the medial meniscus is expected to cause the double PCL sign, the torn ACL may have made it easier to visualize the bucket handle tear of the lateral meniscus in the same sagittal plane as the PCL. Only 5 other reports mention bimeniscal bucket handle tears of both the medial and lateral menisci in association with an ACL tear. None have shown the suggested triple PCL sign because of lack of overlap between the 2 bucket handle tears in the coronal plane while lying in the intercondylar notch causing them not to fall in the same sagittal plane. Our patient showed some overlap between the 2 meniscal fragments while lying in the notch to create the triple PCL sign on sagittal MRI.     

关节镜下复位缝合富血小板血浆注射治疗陈旧性半月板桶柄样撕裂

[目的]介绍陈旧性内侧半月板桶柄样撕裂镜下复位缝合修复,结合富血小板血浆注射的手术技术与初步结果。[方法]对1例28岁陈旧性内侧半月板桶柄样撕裂23年的患者行镜下复位缝合,同时行富血小板血浆注射。镜下全面探查关节内病变,将半月板撕裂部和关节囊残缘打磨出新鲜创面,采用由内向外"U"形缝合半月板2针,牵拉关节外侧缝线,在关节镜直视下松解半月板前、后角挛缩部分,使半月板桶柄撕裂缘与关节囊缘逐渐靠拢,将缝线打结固定。再采用Fast-fix 360将半月板体部至后角撕裂部分全内缝合。探查半月板缝合后撕裂部分复位满意,稳定性良好。将制备好的PRP共4 ml沿内侧膝关节间隙半月板的体部及后角等部位,多点穿刺注射。[结果]术后患者疼痛和关节交锁等症状消失,逐步恢复伤膝活动。术后2个月,患者恢复运动能力,无明显不适,复查MRI显示左膝内侧半月板形态完整、均质,无明显异常信号。[结论]对陈旧性内侧半月板桶柄样撕裂进行适当松解仍可缝合修复,富血小板血浆注射有利于陈旧性半月板缝合修复后愈合。     

Meniscus Tears: Treatment in the Stable and Unstable Knee

Basic science research and follow-up studies after meniscectomy have provided convincing evidence of the importance of preservation of the meniscus in decreasing the risk of late degenerative changes. Whether in a stable or an unstable knee, if a meniscus tear cannot be repaired, a conservative partial meniscectomy should be undertaken to preserve as much meniscal tissue as possible. When feasible, repair should be carried out in young patients with an isolated meniscus tear, despite healing rates that are significantly lower than those obtained when meniscus repair is done with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The incidence of successful healing is inversely related to the rim width and tear length. In general, meniscus repair should be limited to patients under 50 years of age. Vertical longitudinal tears, including bucket-handle tears, are most amenable to repair. Some radial split tears can be repaired. In an ACL-deficient knee, meniscus repair is more prone to failure if not performed in conjunction with an ACL reconstruction, and is not recommended. Meniscal allograft surgery is investigational but may hold promise for selected patients.     

Posterior meniscal root injuries

ABSTRACT — Meniscal root tears (MRTs) are defined as radial tears within 1?cm of the meniscal root insertion, or an avulsion of the insertion of the meniscus. These injuries change joint loading due to failure of the meniscus to convert axial loads into hoop stresses, resulting in joint overloading and degenerative changes in the knee. Meniscal root repair is recommended in patients without advanced osteoarthritis (Outerbridge 3–4), in order to restore joint congruence and loading and therefore to avoid the long-term effect of joint overloading. Several techniques have been described. Improved knee function has been reported after meniscal root repair, but there are still conflicting reports on whether surgical treatment can prevent osteoarthritis.     

Editorial Commentary: Are We Over-treating Meniscal Root Tears?

Meniscal root tears function as a complete meniscectomy, with loss of hoop stress due to the detachment of the meniscus. Root tears have been increasingly recognized recently with improvements in diagnostic imaging and the understanding of meniscal biomechanics. Patients have a high rate of progression of osteoarthritis and subsequent knee replacement after a meniscal root tear. Recent advances in repair techniques, arthroscopic instrumentation, and biological augmentation strategies continue to offer surgeons ways to manage historically “irreparable” meniscal tears. Root repair clinical outcomes are generally favorable, although patients may still experience progressive degenerative changes.     

Resorbierbare Implantate bei der Meniskusrefixation

The menisci are vitally important for the biomechanics of unimpaired function of the knee joint, and every effort should be made to preserve them when knee injuries are treated. Longitudinal tears in the joint capsule while the collagen structure of the meniscus is preserved is the classic indication for repair. When the anterior cruciate ligament is also torn this should be repaired by means of a replacement procedure. In the case of horizonal, radial, and/or oblique tears it is extremely rare for repair to be successful; for this reason ‘sparing’ resection is carried out in these circumstances. A bucket handle tear is particularly significant, its correct diagnosis requiring a precise history, clinical examination and magnetic resonance tomography. In addition to the classic suturing techniques, menisceal anchoring and complex suturing systems made up of suture thread and implant now also have a place in meniscus surgery. Repair with anchors means a considerable time saving over the classic techniques, but also involves the risk of cartilaginous defects and loose bodies. The complex suturing systems that have been available for the last few years have proved their worth especially in the area of the posterior horn, where it is very difficult to place sutures using arthroscopic suturing techniques.     

The effect of complete radial lateral meniscus posterior root tear on the knee contact mechanics: a finite element analysis

Background

In recent years, with technological advances in arthroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging and improved biomechanical studies of the meniscus, there has been some progress in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the roots of the meniscus. However, the biomechanical effect of posterior lateral meniscus root tears on the knee has not yet become clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a complete radial posterior lateral meniscus root tear on the knee contact mechanics and the function of the posterior meniscofemoral ligament on the knee with tear in the posterior root of lateral meniscus.

Methods

A finite element model of the knee was developed to simulate different cases for intact knee, a complete radial posterior lateral meniscus root tear, a complete radial posterior lateral meniscus root tear with posterior meniscofemoral ligament deficiency, and total meniscectomy of the lateral meniscus. A compressive load of 1000 N was applied in all cases to calculate contact areas, contact pressure, and meniscal displacements.

Results

The complete radial posterior lateral meniscus root tear decreased the contact area and increased the contact pressure on the lateral compartment under compressive load. We also found a decreased contact area and increased contact pressure in the medial compartment, but it was not obvious compared to the lateral compartment. The lateral meniscus was radially displaced by compressive load after a complete radial posterior lateral meniscus root tear, and the displacement took place mainly in the body and posterior horn of lateral meniscus. There were further decrease in contact area and increases in contact pressure and raidial displacement of the lateral meniscus in the case of the complete posterior lateral meniscus root tear in combination with posterior meniscofemoral ligament deficiency.

Conclusions

Complete radial posterior lateral meniscus root tear is not functionally equivalent to total meniscectomy. The posterior root torn lateral meniscus continues to provide some load transmission and distribution functions across the joint. The posterior meniscofemoral ligament prevents excessive radial displacement of the posterior root torn lateral meniscus and assists the torn lateral meniscus in transmitting a certain amount of stress in the lateral compartment.     

内侧半月板后角Ramp损伤在前十字韧带损伤患者中的发生率及影响因素分析

 目的 研究前十字韧带损伤合并内侧半月板后角 Ramp(内侧半月板后角至后内侧关节 囊滑膜移行区域)损伤的发生率, 并分析其影响因素。方法 2002年 4月至 2007年 10月, 采用韧带重 建手术治疗并确诊为前十字韧带损伤的患者 868例, 男 609例, 女 259例;年龄 15~55岁, 平均 25.2岁。根据手术记录以及术中关节镜探查, 筛选其中存在内侧半月板后角 Ramp损伤的病例, 计算其发生率。 按照性别、年龄段及受伤至手术时间分组, 分析 Ramp损伤发生率的影响因素。结果 868例膝关节确诊为前十字韧带损伤并接受韧带重建手术的患者中, 内侧半月板后角 Ramp损伤的患者为 144例, 男 113例, 女 31例;平均年龄 24.7岁。受伤至手术时间平均 29.3个月。 Ramp损伤的发生率为 16.59% (144/868), 伤后 6周、3、6、12、24个月 Ramp损伤的发生率分别为 12.66%、13.51%、13.17%、14.49%、 15.92%;男性发生率为 18.56%(113/609), 女性为 11.97%(31/259), 两者比较差异有统计学意义;30岁以下的患者 Ramp损伤发生率为 21.59%(114/528), 30岁以上者为 8.82%(30/340), 两者比较差异有统 计学意义。结论 内侧半月板后角 Ramp损伤是前十字韧带断裂的常见合并损伤, 其发生率为 16.59%; 伤后 2年内, Ramp损伤的发生率随受伤时间延长明显增加;男性及 30岁以下患者 Ramp损伤发生率明 显增高。     

半月板成型缝合术在盘状半月板撕裂中的近期临床效果评价

目的评价半月板成形术结合Fastfix及MM-Ⅱ缝合技术在膝关节外侧盘状半月板撕裂中的近期临床效果。方法 2010年1月至2012年12月,对59例膝关节盘状半月板撕裂患者进行了半月板成型及缝合术。根据撕裂的大小和部位,采用Fast-fix缝合系统及MM-Ⅱ缝合套管针进行缝合。59例随访12~26个月,平均（18.4±3.6）个月。在术前及术后随访时记录患者的膝关节活动度、稳定性及Lysholm评分,比较术前及末次随访的Lysholm评分来评价盘状半月板成型缝合术的近期临床疗效。结果所有病例在末次随访时没有关节交锁及失稳症状,关节活动度均恢复正常。Lysholm评分从术前（58.8±6.8）分提高至术后（93.3±2.4）分,经t检验差异有统计学意义（t=-38.24,P〈0.01）。结论对于膝关节盘状半月板合并撕裂,在进行成型手术后通过Fast-fix及MM-Ⅱ对半月板撕裂进行缝合修复,可获得满意近期疗效。     

Hi-frequency electrical cautery stimulation in the treatment of displaced meniscal tears

This is a preliminary report of four cases of meniscal displaced tears: two bucket handle medial meniscus tears, one complex tear in the avascular zone or lateral meniscus, and one longitudinal full-thickness tear on the lateral meniscus. These tears were treated by applying hi- frequency current stimulation to the tissues and obtaining total meniscal visual healing on a second arthroscopic view after 6 weeks.Arthroscopy 1998 Sep;14(6):566-71     

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy: a long-term follow-up.

A follow-up study was conducted to clarify the clinical and radiological long-term consequences of arthroscopic meniscus resection. One hundred thirty-six patients who had unilateral arthroscopic resection of an isolated meniscal tear attended for an interview and a physical and radiological examination. Follow-up averaged 8.5 years, with a range of 7.9-11.6 years. The reoperation rate was as high as 22.8%, but was the lowest in the bucket handle tear group (13%). Pain after exercise was less frequent among patients treated for a bucket handle tear compared to other lesions. Fifty-three percent of the patients had at least one of the Fairbanks change in the operated knee and only 22% in the control knees. The radiographic result was not influenced by the type of meniscus lesion nor were high age or intraoperatively described cartilage damage factors of significance. Malalignment less than 4 degrees of valgus and greater than 10 degrees of valgus was found to be a significant risk factor for the development of degenerative changes following meniscus resection.     

Avulsionsverletzung des Außenmeniskushinterhorns

An avulsion of the posterior tibial insertion of the meniscus (root tear) is a rare clinical diagnosis. Yet, due to the inconsistent clinical symptoms and the difficult arthroscopic assessment, an injury to the root of the meniscus can be easily missed. We present a possible technique for arthroscopic management of root tears using a tibial tunnel approach. A possible injury mechanism could be a rotational distortion of the knee. Another mechanism of injury is an overly posterior tunnel placement in ACL reconstruction. The clinical assessment of the lesion is based on thorough arthroscopic diagnosis of the lateral posterior horn in the figure of 4 position. A tibial ACL aimer can be used to locate a K-wire in the anatomical footprint of the posterior root of the meniscus. After overdrilling using a 4.5-mm drill, two sutures can be passed through the meniscal tissue and the sutures can be pulled out of the tibial tunnel. Extracortical fixation can be used by tying the sutures over a button.A root tear of the meniscus is a difficult clinical and arthroscopic diagnosis. A possibility for refixation of this lesion is to use a tibial tunnel technique. An associated injury to the ACL facilitates the tunnel placement and the suture management.     

Relevance of history of injury to the diagnosis of meniscal tears.

A consecutive series of 217 arthroscopic meniscectomies has been reviewed in order to investigate the incidence of significant meniscal lesions without obvious precipitating injury. There were 10 bucket handle tears out of 117 (9%) with a mean age of 32 years with no significant injury; 18 flap tears out of 69 (26%) with a mean age of 40 years; and 7 out of 19 (37%) radial tears with a mean age of 36 years also had no significant injury. This study indicates that the absence of a history of injury in the young patient with a symptomatic knee does not exclude significant meniscal tears, such as a bucket handle, and therefore has implications for history taking and diagnosis.     

Editorial Commentary: Determinants of Outcome After Repair of Knee Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear Are Multifactorial

Medial meniscus posterior root tears alter tibiofemoral contact, leading to medial knee osteoarthritis. Repair can restore kinematics and biomechanics. Female sex, age, obesity, high posterior tibial slope, varus malalignment >5°, and Outerbridge grade ≥3 chondral lesions in the medial compartment are associated with risk for medial meniscus posterior root tears and poor healing after repair. Extrusion, degeneration, and tear gap may increase tension across the repair site, resulting in poor outcome.     

Double bucket handle tear of the superior labrum in a young patient presented with shoulder instability treated with arthroscopic debridement: A case report

Introduction and importanceThe two major etiologies of shoulder superior labral tears anterior to posterior (SLAP) are traumatic and degenerative processes. Bucket handle tears of the superior labrum represent one-third of labral lesions. However, in this article, we present a double bucket handle tear which has been reported once in the literature.Presentation of caseA 25-year-old male presented with complaint of chronic pain in his right shoulder with a remote history of traumatic dislocation. Physical examination revealed a positive apprehension test. Shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a superior labral tear with a Hill-Sach lesion. Arthroscopy showed a double bucket handle tear of superior labrum and mild biceps tendonitis along with Bankart lesion. The tear was resected and the Bankart lesion was repaired followed by supervised physical therapy. Good clinical outcomes in form of resolution of pain and shoulder instability at six months were obtained.DiscussionSLAP tears are common shoulder lesion that is reported differently in the literature. Arthroscopic studies had reported the incidence between 3.9%-11.8. The diagnosis of such lesion relies on the clinical presentation and imaging. Knesek et al. classified SLAP lesions based on the integrity of the biceps anchor and the type of labral tear (Knesek et al., 2013). The standard treatment of symptomatic SLAP lesions is Arthroscopic debridement. However, non-operative management was described in the literature.ConclusionDouble bucket handle injuries of the superior labrum are reported in literature once. These lesions can be treated with arthroscopic debridement and Bankart repair and followed by supervised physical therapy.