Isolated meniscus extrusion associated with meniscotibial ligament abnormality

• Published in: Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA, 2020-11, Vol.28 (11), p.3599-3605
• Main Authors: Krych, Aaron J., Bernard, Christopher D., Leland, Devin P., Camp, Christopher L., Johnson, Adam C., Finnoff, Jonathan T., Stuart, Michael J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biocompatibility; Biomedical materials; Body mass; Cartilage Diseases - pathology; Chondromalacia; Correlation; Extrusion; Female; Females; Fractures; Humans; Injuries; Knee; Knee Joint - pathology; Ligaments; Ligaments, Articular - abnormalities; Ligaments, Articular - diagnostic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Males; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Menisci, Tibial - abnormalities; Menisci, Tibial - diagnostic imaging; Meniscus; Middle Aged; Orthopedics; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis - pathology; Pain; Pathology; Population studies; Radiographs; Radiography; Tibial Meniscus Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Tumors; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0942-2056; 1433-7347
• DOI: 10.1007/s00167-019-05612-1

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe meniscus extrusion, present imaging characteristics, and provide clinical correlations for patients with isolated meniscus extrusion. Methods Of the 3244 MRI reports identified as having meniscus extrusion, 20 patients were identified to have isolated meniscus extrusion (0.62%). Patients with moderate to severe chondromalacia, meniscus tears, intra-articular fractures, tumours, and ligament tears were excluded. Radiographs were reviewed and graded using Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) scores. MRI’s were reviewed for the extent of extrusion and whether or not the meniscotibial ligament was intact. Clinical presentation and management were recorded. Results The study population consisted of 12 females and 8 males with a mean age of 40.5, diagnosed with meniscus extrusion and minimal concomitant knee pathology. 68% of patients were considered symptomatic as their knee pain correlated with the side of their meniscus extrusion and no other reason for pain was identified. The mean amount of meniscus extrusion was 2.5 mm (SD ± 1.1 mm) with 45% (9 of 20) having 3 + mm of extrusion. Meniscotibial ligament abnormality was identified in 65% of cases (13 of 20). Patients with 3 + mm of meniscus extrusion were much more likely to have associated meniscotibial ligament abnormality (100%, 9 of 9) compared to those with