scholarly journals Medial meniscal ramp lesions in ACL-injured elite athletes are strongly associated with medial collateral ligament injuries and medial tibial bone bruising on MRI

Author(s):  
Lukas Willinger ◽  
Ganesh Balendra ◽  
Vishal Pai ◽  
Justin Lee ◽  
Adam Mitchell ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Medial menisco-capsular separations (ramp lesions) are typically found in association with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. They are frequently missed preoperatively due to low MRI sensitivity. The purpose of this article was to describe demographic and anatomical risk factors for ramp lesions, and to identify concomitant lesions and define their characteristics to improve diagnosis of ramp lesions on MRI. Methods Patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction between September 2015 and April 2019 were included in this study. The presence/absence of ramp lesions was recorded in preoperative MRIs and at surgery. Patients’ characteristics and clinical findings, concomitant injuries on MRI and the posterior tibial slope were evaluated. Results One hundred patients (80 male, 20 female) with a mean age of 22.3 ± 4.9 years met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of ramp lesions diagnosed at surgery was 16%. Ramp lesions were strongly associated with injuries to the deep MCL (dMCL, p < 0.01), the superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL, p < 0.01), and a small medial–lateral tibial slope asymmetry (p < 0.05). There was also good correlation between ramp lesions and bone oedema in the posterior medial tibia plateau (MTP, p < 0.05) and medial femoral condyle (MFC, p < 0.05). A dMCL injury, a smaller differential medial–lateral tibial slope than usual, and the identification of a ramp lesion on MRI increases the likelihood of finding a ramp lesion at surgery. MRI sensitivity was 62.5% and the specificity was 84.5%. Conclusion The presence on MRI of sMCL and/or dMCL lesions, bone oedema in the posterior MTP and MFC, and a smaller differential medial–lateral tibial slope than usual are highly associated with ramp lesions visible on MRI. Additionally, a dMCL injury, a flatter lateral tibial slope than usual, and the identification of a ramp lesion on MRI increases the likelihood of finding a ramp lesion at surgery. Knowledge of the risk factors and secondary injury signs associated with ramp lesions facilitate the diagnosis of a ramp lesion preoperatively and should raise surgeons’ suspicion of this important lesion. Level of evidence Diagnostic study, Level III.

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1673-1681
Author(s):  
Seong Hwan Kim ◽  
Hyun Je Seo ◽  
Dong Won Seo ◽  
Kang-Il Kim ◽  
Sang Hak Lee

Background: The incidence of meniscocapsular junction tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn, known as ramp lesions, is reported to be 9.3% to 23.9%. However, these lesions are not consistently diagnosed with routine arthroscopic exploration and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Purpose: To determine risk factors associated with ramp lesions in anterior cruciate ligament–injured knees. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 275 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between June 2011 and March 2019 were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were revisions, fracture histories, and multiple-ligament injuries other than medial collateral ligament injury. Patients were divided into 2 groups, those with and without ramp lesions according to arthroscopic diagnosis. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors: age, sex, body mass index, time from injury to surgery (<3 or ≥3 months), mechanism of injury (contact/noncontact), Segond fracture, side-to-side laxity, location of bone contusion, medial and lateral tibial/meniscal slope, and mechanical axis angle. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve were evaluated. A prediction model was developed by multivariable regression with generalized estimating equations. Results: Overall, 95 patients (34.5%) were confirmed as having a ramp lesion. The sensitivity of MRI for ramp lesions was 85.3%, and specificity was 78.3%. Significant risk factors for ramp lesion were as follows: posterior medial tibial plateau bone contusion on MRI (odds ratio [OR], 4.201; 95% CI, 2.081-8.482; P < .001), ≥3 months from injury (OR, 4.818; 95% CI, 2.158-10.757; P < .001), varus knee >3° (OR, 2.339; 95% CI, 1.048-5.217; P = .038), steeper medial tibial slope (OR, 1.289; 95% CI, 1.002-1.66; P = .049) and meniscal slope (OR, 1.464; 95% CI, 1.137-1.884; P = .003), and gradual lateral tibial slope (OR, 0.775; 95% CI, 0.657-0.914; P = .002). The area under the curve for the prediction model developed by logistic regression was 0.779 (sensitivity, 75.8%; specificity, 71.7%; P < .001) for ramp lesions. Conclusion: Care should be taken with patients who have significant risk factors for ramp lesions, including bone contusion at the posterior medial tibial plateau, chronic injury, steeper medial tibial and meniscal slope, gradual lateral tibial slope, and varus knee >3°.


Author(s):  
Lukas Willinger ◽  
Ganesh Balendra ◽  
Vishal Pai ◽  
Justin Lee ◽  
Adam Mitchell ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose In anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, concomitant damage to peripheral soft tissues is associated with increased rotatory instability of the knee. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and patterns of medial collateral ligament complex injuries in patients with clinically ‘isolated’ ACL ruptures. Methods Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction for complete ‘presumed isolated’ ACL rupture between 2015 and 2019 were retrospectively included in this study. Patient’s characteristics and intraoperative findings were retrieved from clinical and surgical documentation. Preoperative MRIs were evaluated and the grade and location of injuries to the superficial MCL (sMCL), dMCL and the posterior oblique ligament (POL) recorded. All patients were clinically assessed under anaesthesia with standard ligament laxity tests. Results Hundred patients with a mean age of 22.3 ± 4.9 years were included. The incidence of concomitant MCL complex injuries was 67%. sMCL injuries occurred in 62%, dMCL in 31% and POL in 11% with various injury patterns. A dMCL injury was significantly associated with MRI grade II sMCL injuries, medial meniscus ‘ramp’ lesions seen at surgery and bone oedema at the medial femoral condyle (MFC) adjacent to the dMCL attachment site (p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis identified younger age (OR 1.2, p < 0.05), simultaneous sMCL injury (OR 6.75, p < 0.01) and the presence of bone oedema at the MFC adjacent to the dMCL attachment site (OR 5.54, p < 0.01) as predictive factors for a dMCL injury. Conclusion The incidence of combined ACL and medial ligament complex injuries is high. Lesions of the dMCL were associated with ramp lesions, MFC bone oedema close to the dMCL attachment, and sMCL injury. Missed AMRI is a risk factor for ACL graft failure from overload and, hence, oedema in the MCL (especially dMCL) demands careful assessment for AMRI, even in the knee lacking excess valgus laxity. This study provides information about specific MCL injury patterns including the dMCL in ACL ruptures and will allow surgeons to initiate individualised treatment. Level of evidence III.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0004
Author(s):  
John A. Schlechter ◽  
Tanner Harrah ◽  
Bryn Gornick ◽  
Benjamin Sherman

Introduction: With participation in youth sports anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a common occurrence. Nearly 70% of ACL tears in children and adolescents have an associated meniscus tear. Percutaneous medial collateral ligament (MCL) relaxation has been described as utilitarian in accessing the medial meniscus for diagnostic assessment and treatment in the adult population to increase medial compartment working space in arthroscopic surgery. The technique has not been evaluated in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of children and adolescents that underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with and without percutaneous relaxation of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) for meniscal tear management. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients aged 8 to 19 years old that had undergone knee arthroscopy for an (ACLR) with meniscus pathology. Those that underwent MCL relaxation were grouped together and compared to a matched cohort that did not have MCL relaxation performed. Preoperative, operative and postoperative data was analyzed. The primary measurement was obtained using a validated patient reported outcome score (Pedi-IKDC), secondary outcome measures were defined as superficial or deep infection, saphenous nerve dysesthesias, ACL graft failure and return to the operating room. Statistical analysis of the two cohorts was performed. Results: Fifty-four patients were included in the study (27 in each group) with average age 15 years (range 10-19). Average follow-up for the MCL relaxation group was 22.4 months versus 58 months for the non-MCL relaxation group. The average Pedi-IKDC score was 93.3 for the MCL relaxation group and 91.4 for the non-MCL relaxation group (p=0.34). There was no difference in patient demographics, return to the operating room (p=0.49), saphenous nerve dysesthesia (p=0.49), superficial or deep infection (p=0.32). Conclusion: ACL reconstruction in children and adolescents with MCL relaxation for the management of medial meniscal tears appears to be a safe option. Equivocal patient reported outcome scores as compared to the control group were found with no increase in post-operative complications. In children with ACL tears, appropriate diagnosis and management of medial meniscal pathology is important to maintain secondary restraint to anterior tibial translation and prevent premature graft failure. Pediatric knees can have tight medial compartments, making access difficult, potentially leading to poor visualization and iatrogenic chondral damage. Percutaneous medial collateral ligament (MCL) relaxation has been described in the adult population to increase medial compartment working space without long term sequela. We report similar findings in an all pediatric cohort.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 232596712199116
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Lemme ◽  
Daniel S. Yang ◽  
Brooke Barrow ◽  
Ryan O’Donnell ◽  
Alan H. Daniels ◽  
...  

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in pediatric patients is becoming increasingly common. There is growing yet limited literature on the risk factors for revision in this demographic. Purpose: To (1) determine the rate of pediatric revision ACLR in a nationally representative sample, (2) ascertain the associated patient- and injury-specific risk factors for revision ACLR, and (3) examine the differences in the rate and risks of revision ACLR between pediatric and adult patients. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The PearlDiver patient record database was used to identify adult patients (age ≥20 years) and pediatric patients (age <20 years) who underwent primary ACLR between 2010 and 2015. At 5 years postoperatively, the risk of revision ACLR was compared between the adult and pediatric groups. ACLR to the contralateral side was also compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the significant risk factors for revision ACLR and the overall reoperation rates in pediatric and adult patients; from these risk factors, an algorithm was developed to predict the risk of revision ACLR in pediatric patients. Results: Included were 2055 pediatric patients, 1778 adult patients aged 20 to 29 years, and 1646 adult patients aged 30 to 39 years who underwent ACLR. At 5 years postoperatively, pediatric patients faced a higher risk of revision surgery when compared with adults (18.0 % vs 9.2% [adults 20-29 years] and 7.1% [adults 30-39 years]; P < .0001), with significantly decreased survivorship of the index ACLR ( P < .0001; log-rank test). Pediatric patients were also at higher risk of undergoing contralateral ACLR as compared with adults (5.8% vs 1.6% [adults 20-29 years] and 1.9% [adults 30-39 years]; P < .0001). Among the pediatric cohort, boys (odds ratio [OR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63-0.96; P = .0204) and patients >14 years old (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.45-0.86; P = .0035) had a decreased risk of overall reoperation; patients undergoing concurrent meniscal repair (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.43-2.38; P < .0001) or meniscectomy (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.72-2.82; P < .0001) had an increased risk of revision surgery. According to the risk algorithm, the highest probability for revision ACLR was in girls <15 years old with concomitant meniscal and medial collateral ligament injury (36% risk of revision). Conclusion: As compared with adults, pediatric patients had an increased likelihood of revision ACLR, contralateral ACLR, and meniscal reoperation within 5 years of an index ACLR. Families of pediatric patients—especially female patients, younger patients, and those with concomitant medial collateral ligament and meniscal injuries—should be counseled on such risks.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norimasa Nakamura ◽  
Shuji Horibe ◽  
Yukiyoshi Toritsuka ◽  
Tomoki Mitsuoka ◽  
Hideki Yoshikawa ◽  
...  

Background: The appropriate management of acute grade III medial collateral ligament injury when it is combined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament has not been determined. Hypothesis: Magnetic resonance imaging grading of grade III medial collateral ligament injury in patients who also have anterior cruciate ligament injury correlates with the outcome of their nonoperative treatment. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Seventeen patients were first treated nonoperatively with bracing. Eleven patients with restored valgus stability received anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction only, and six with residual valgus laxity also received medial collateral ligament surgery. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging depicted complete disruption of the superficial layer of the medial collateral ligament in all 17 patients and disruption of the deep layer in 14. Restoration of valgus stability was significantly correlated with the location of superficial fiber damage. Damage was evident over the whole length of the superficial layer in five patients, and all five patients had residual valgus laxity despite bracing. Both groups had good-to-excellent results 5 years later. Conclusions: Location of injury in the superficial layer may be useful in predicting the outcome of nonoperative treatment for acute grade III medial collateral ligament lesions combined with anterior cruciate ligament injury.


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