Quantitative evaluation of meniscus injury using synthetic magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can diagnose meniscal lesions anatomically, while quantitative MRI can reflect the changes of meniscal histology and biochemical structure. Our study aims to explore the association between the measurement values obtained from synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) and Stoller grades. Additionally, we aim to assess the diagnostic accuracy of SyMRI in determining the extent of meniscus injury. This potential accuracy could contribute to minimizing unnecessary invasive examinations and providing guidance for clinical treatment. METHODS: Total of 60 (n=60) patients requiring knee arthroscopic surgery and 20 (n=20) healthy subjects were collected from July 2022 to November 2022. All subjects underwent conventional MRI and SyMRI. Manual measurements of the T1, T2 and proton density (PD) values were conducted for both normal menisci and the most severely affected position of injured menisci. These measurements corresponded to the Stoller grade of meniscus injuries observed in the conventional MRI. All patients and healthy subjects were divided into normal group, degeneration group and torn group according to the Stoller grade on conventional MRI. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to compare the T1, T2 and PD values of the meniscus among 3 groups. The accuracy of SyMRI in diagnosing meniscus injury was assessed by comparing the findings with arthroscopic observations. The diagnostic efficiency of meniscus degeneration and tear between conventional MRI and SyMRI were analyzed using McNemar test. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) was utilized for evaluation. RESULTS: According to the measurements of SyMRI, there was no statistical difference of T1 value or PD value measured by SyMRI among the normal group, degeneration group and torn group, while the difference of T2 value was statistically significant among 3 groups (P=0.001). The arthroscopic findings showed that 11 patients were meniscal degeneration and 49 patients were meniscal tears. The arthroscopic findings were used as the gold standard, and the difference of T1 and PD values among the 3 groups was not statistically significant, while the difference of T2 values (32.81±2.51 of normal group, 44.85±3.98 of degeneration group and 54.42±3.82 of torn group) was statistically significant (P=0.001). When the threshold of T2 value was 51.67 (ms), the maximum Yoden index was 0.787 and the AUC value was 0.934. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement values derived from SyMRI could reflect the Stoller grade, illustrating that SyMRI has good consistency with conventional MRI. Moreover, the notable consistency observed between SyMRI and arthroscopy suggests a potential role for SyMRI in guiding clinical diagnoses.

Development and Analysis of Mouse Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear Model.

Medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRT) are often associated with osteoarthritis (OA) progression and subchondral bone insufficiency fractures. This study aimed to develop the first MMPRT mouse model. The MMPRT model was created by sectioning the medial meniscus posterior root of 12-week-old CL57BL/6J male mice under stereomicroscopic observation. The sham operation and the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model groups were also created. OA progression and subchondral bone changes were evaluated histologically using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) subchondral bone scoring system at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. Microcomputed tomography (µCT) was performed to evaluate the presence of insufficient fractures. OA progression and medial meniscus extrusion were observed in the MMPRT and DMM models 12 weeks after surgery. OA progressed in both models during the time course, without a significant difference in the OARSI score between the two groups. The subchondral bone score was significantly higher at 12 weeks than at 2 and 4 weeks in the MMPRT group, while no significant difference was found between the two groups. In the µCT analysis, destruction of the medial tibial plateau was observed in 4/40 knees, while none were observed in the DMM group. Of the four knees, destruction of the medial femoral condyle was also observed in three knees. Characteristic pathological changes were observed in the mouse MMPRT model. The mouse MMPRT model may be useful for investigating pathological changes after MMPRT.

Automatic Detection of Meniscus Tears Using Backbone Convolutional Neural Networks on Knee MRI.

BACKGROUND: Timely diagnosis of meniscus injuries is key for preventing knee joint dysfunction and improving patient outcomes because it decreases morbidity and facilitates treatment planning. PURPOSE: To train and evaluate a deep learning model for automated detection of meniscus tears on knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). STUDY TYPE: Bicentric retrospective study. SUBJECTS: In total, 584 knee MRI studies, divided among training (n = 234), testing (n = 200), and external validation (n = 150) data sets, were used in this study. The public data set MRNet was used as a second external validation data set to evaluate the performance of the model. SEQUENCE: A 3 T, coronal, and sagittal images from T1-weighted proton density (PD) fast spin-echo (FSE) with fat saturation and T2-weighted FSE with fat saturation sequences. ASSESSMENT: The detection system for meniscus tear was based on the improved YOLOv4 model with Darknet-53 as the backbone. The performance of the model was also compared with that of three radiologists of varying levels of experience. The determination of the presence of a meniscus tear from surgery reports was used as the ground truth for the images. STATISTICAL TESTS: Sensitivity, specificity, prevalence, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to evaluate the performance of the detection model. Two-way analysis of variance, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Tukey's multiple tests were used to evaluate differences in performance between the model and radiologists. RESULTS: The overall accuracies for detecting meniscus tears using our model on the internal testing, internal validation, and external validation data sets were 95.4%, 95.8%, and 78.8%, respectively. One radiologist had significantly lower performance than our model in detecting meniscal tears (accuracy: 0.9025 ± 0.093 vs. 0.9580 ± 0.025). DATA CONCLUSION: The proposed model had high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detecting meniscus tears on knee MRIs. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

The meniscal extrusion index is a reliable indirect sign of different meniscal lesion patterns: a classification based on percentage of meniscal extrusion.

PURPOSE: This study's goal is to propose a straightforward classification system based on the MEI (Meniscal Extrusion Index), a measure of meniscal extrusion, that relates to various meniscal lesion patterns and has clinical and biomechanical significance. The study's secondary goal is to determine whether the standard 3 mm meniscal extrusion parameter still has value by correlating the MEI with it. METHODS: 1350 knee MRIs that were performed over the course of 2 years made up the study cohort. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 200 of those patients were qualified to participate in the study. All the measurements examined for this study underwent an interobserver reliability test. RESULTS: In the 1350 MRIs that were examined for this study, meniscal extrusion of any grade was present 18.9% of the time. The use of the MEI revealed three groups of patients: those with a MEI < 20%, who are likely para-physiological; those with a MEY between 20% and 40%, who are in a grey area; and those with a MEY > 40%, who have lesions that are impairing the proper meniscal function. According to the authors' findings, the percentage of meniscal extrusion did not correlate with the finite number (3 mm), making the 3 mm parameter an unreliable evaluation method. CONCLUSIONS: This study is clinically relevant, because it proposes a simple and reproducible classification of meniscal extrusion that may aid in evaluating the severity of an extrusion and help in the diagnosis of lesions that might be difficult to identify on MRI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Soft tissue injury prediction using joint depression in computed tomography in AO 41B lateral tibial plateau fractures.

Tibial plateau fractures are usually associated with soft tissue injury. This study aimed to use the extent of joint depression and lateral widening in computed tomography (CT) to predict the soft tissue injury accompanying fractures.The study included 23 patients with type Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen-classified 41B fractures. Demographics, mechanism of injury, age, gender, and injury sites were assessed. Post-traumatic radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT were obtained. MRI evaluated the meniscal, cruciate, and collateral ligament injuries, and CT measured the extent of joint depression and lateral widening in millimeters using digital imaging software. The relationship between joint depression, lateral widening, and soft tissue injuries was statistically analyzed. Of the 23 patients, 17 (74%) were males and 6 (26%) were females. Lateral meniscus injuries increased and the risk of bucket handle lateral meniscus tears increased as the CT joint depression exceeded 12 mm (p < 0.05). Joint depression of <5.9 mm was associated with medial meniscus injury (p < 0.05). The mean distribution examination of all soft tissue injuries and joint depression revealed no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Increased joint depression in lateral tibial plateau fractures increases the risk of lateral meniscus bucket handle tear, and decreased joint depression increases the risk of medial meniscus injury. Accordingly implementing the treatment plan and patient management will improve the clinical outcomes.

Sympathectomy aggravates subchondral bone changes during osteoarthritis progression in mice without affecting cartilage degeneration or synovial inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis involves the interaction of articular cartilage with surrounding tissues, which are innervated by tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) sympathetic nerve fibers suggesting a role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) during OA progression. We analyzed the effects of sympathectomy (Syx) in a murine OA model. METHODS: Peripheral Syx was generated by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injections in male C57BL/6 mice. OA was induced in wild-type (WT) and Syx mice by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). TH+ fibers and splenic NE were analyzed to evaluate Syx efficiency. OA progression was examined by OARSI and synovitis scores and micro-CT. Expression of TH, α2A- and ß2-adrenergic receptors (AR), and activity of osteoblasts (ALP) and osteoclasts (TRAP) was investigated by stainings. RESULTS: Syx resulted in synovial TH+ fiber elimination and splenic NE decrease. Cartilage degradation and synovitis after DMM were comparably progressive in both WT and Syx mice. Calcified cartilage (CC) and subchondral bone plate (SCBP) thickness and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) increased in Syx mice due to increased ALP and decreased TRAP activities compared to WT 8 weeks after DMMWT and Syx mice developed osteophytes and meniscal ossicles without any differences between the groups. AR numbers decreased in cartilage but increased in synovium and osteophyte regions after DMM in both WT and Syx mice. CONCLUSION: Peripheral dampening of SNS activity aggravated OA-specific cartilage calcification and subchondral bone thickening but did not influence cartilage degradation and synovitis. Therefore, SNS might be an attractive target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for pathologies of the subchondral bone.

Posttreatment Imaging of the Knee: Cruciate Ligaments and Menisci.

Cruciate ligament reconstruction and meniscal surgery are frequently performed for restoration of knee joint stability and function after cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries, and they contribute to the prevention of secondary osteoarthritis. In cruciate ligaments, the most common procedure is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Meniscal surgery most frequently consists of partial meniscectomy and suture repair, rarely of a meniscus transplant. In patients with symptoms following surgery, imaging reevaluation for a suspected intra-articular source of symptoms is indicated and mainly consists of radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. For proper imaging assessment of cruciate ligament grafts and the postoperative meniscus, it is crucial to understand the surgical techniques applied, to be familiar with normal posttreatment imaging findings, and to be aware of patterns and specific findings of recurrent lesions and typical complications. This article presents an updated review of the techniques and the imaging of cruciate ligament reconstruction and meniscus surgery, recurrent lesions, treatment failure, and potential complications.

Development of convolutional neural network model for diagnosing meniscus tear using magnetic resonance image.

BACKGROUND: Deep learning (DL) is an advanced machine learning approach used in diverse areas, such as image analysis, bioinformatics, and natural language processing. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is a representative DL model that is advantageous for image recognition and classification. In this study, we aimed to develop a CNN to detect meniscal tears and classify tear types using coronal and sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) images of each patient. METHODS: We retrospectively collected 599 cases (medial meniscus tear = 384, lateral meniscus tear = 167, and medial and lateral meniscus tear = 48) of knee MR images from patients with meniscal tears and 449 cases of knee MR images from patients without meniscal tears. To develop the DL model for evaluating the presence of meniscal tears, all the collected knee MR images of 1048 cases were used. To develop the DL model for evaluating the type of meniscal tear, 538 cases with meniscal tears (horizontal tear = 268, complex tear = 147, radial tear = 48, and longitudinal tear = 75) and 449 cases without meniscal tears were used. Additionally, a CNN algorithm was used. To measure the model's performance, 70% of the included data were randomly assigned to the training set, and the remaining 30% were assigned to the test set. RESULTS: The area under the curves (AUCs) of our model were 0.889, 0.817, and 0.924 for medial meniscal tears, lateral meniscal tears, and medial and lateral meniscal tears, respectively. The AUCs of the horizontal, complex, radial, and longitudinal tears were 0.761, 0.850, 0.601, and 0.858, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the CNN model has the potential to be used in diagnosing the presence of meniscal tears and differentiating the types of meniscal tears.

Increased Posterior Tibial Slope and Meniscal Slope Could Be Risk Factors for Meniscal Injuries: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the available evidence and examine the relation between the posterior tibial slope (PTS) and meniscal slope (MS) and the incidence of meniscal injury. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were searched from inception to February 23, 2021. Cohort studies investigating the association between PTS or MS and the risk of meniscal injury were included. Two authors independently conducted the literature search, data extraction, and quality assessment. RESULTS: Sixteen studies with a total of 2,670 patients were included. For meniscal injury with an anterior cruciate ligament tear, the lateral PTS in the lateral meniscal root tear group (range, 8.0°-12.6°) was significantly higher than that in the control group (range, 4.0°-10.7°). Furthermore, there appeared to be a relation between a greater medial MS and the presence of a ramp lesion (range, 2.6°-6.7° for ramp lesion vs 2.0°-5.1° for control). For degenerative meniscal injury, the medial PTS in the medial meniscal posterior root tear group (range, 6.15°-10.4°) was significantly greater than that in the control group (range, 4.0°-9.8°). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the available evidence, for meniscal injury with an anterior cruciate ligament tear, an increased lateral PTS was associated with a higher risk of lateral meniscal tears and lateral meniscal posterior root tears. Furthermore, there appeared to be a relation between an increased medial MS and a higher risk of ramp lesions. For degenerative meniscal injury, most of the included studies showed that a larger medial PTS could increase the risk of medial meniscal tears and medial meniscal posterior root tears. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, systematic review of Level III studies.

The aspiration test reveals an instability of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus in almost one-third of ACL-injured patients.

PURPOSE: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often lead to associated injuries of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (PHLM). Arthroscopic, assessment of PHLM instability may be difficult in the absence of a visible meniscus damage. The main objective of this prospective multi-center study was to compare the ability of the probing and aspiration tests to identify PHLM instability in a population of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and a control group of patients with an intact ACL undergoing knee arthroscopy. METHODS: A prospective case-control analysis was performed in three sports medicine centers. One-hundred and three consecutive patients operated for a primary isolated ACLR without structural lateral meniscus damage other than a root tear were included. They were compared to a control group of 29 consecutive patients who had a knee arthroscopy with an intact ACL and no structural lateral meniscus lesion. The probing and aspiration tests were consecutively executed according to previously published methods. RESULTS: In the control group, no lateral meniscus lesions were visualized during arthroscopy, and both probing and aspiration tests were negative in all patients. In the group of ACL-injured patients, a Forkel type I-III posterolateral meniscus root tear (PLMRT) was found in 12 patients (12%). In this subgroup, the probing test was positive in 4/12 patients (33%) and the aspiration test in 5 additional patients (75%). In 15 patients (15%), an elongation of the posterior root of the lateral meniscus (defined as type IV PLMRT as an addendum to the Forkel classification) could be observed during arthroscopy. In this subgroup, only 1 patient displayed a PHLM instability with the probing test (7%), whereas the aspiration test was positive in 13/15 patients (87%). In the remaining 76 patients (74%), no structural lesion of the PHLM could be identified. Nevertheless, an instability of the PHLM could be identified in 8 of them (11%) with the probing test, and the aspiration test was positive in 2 additional knees (13%) of this apparently normal subgroup. Altogether, in the entire ACL injury cohort, a positive probing test was observed in 13/103 patients (13%) and a positive aspiration test in 32/103 knees (31%) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Careful observation and examination of the PHLM with the aspiration test revealed a substantial amount of previously undiagnosed lateral meniscus instabilities in ACL-injured knees. The prevalence of PHLM instability as evaluated by the aspiration test was high (31%). The aspiration test was superior to the probing test in detecting an instability of the PHLM in a population of ACL-injured patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Meniscal extrusion under increasing varus in stress patients with a medial meniscus posterior root-tear.

Posterior root-tear of the medial meniscus and accompanied meniscal extrusion can lead to functional loss of the meniscus. The aim of this study is to assess medial meniscus extrusion at increasing varus forces utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in order to evaluate the contribution of the adduction moment of the knee during gait. We prospectively enrolled 19 patients (38 knees). Patients underwent gait analysis testing to calculate adduction moment, followed by an MRI at rest and with increasing varus forces according to the patient's specific adduction moment. Meniscal extrusion and root gap at increasing varus forces were measured and compared. Functional outcomes and their association to meniscal extrusion was analyzed. We found the average meniscal extrusion at rest, 100% and 150% applied varus force for the control group to be 1.7mm, 1.7mm and 1.9mm, respectively; and for the index group average meniscal extrusion was 5.3mm, 6.4mm and 6.8mm, respectively. Meniscal extrusion increase from rest to 100% varus force was significantly higher in the index group (p=0.0002). Further meniscal extrusion and root gap increase from 100% varus force to 150% varus force did not show a statistically significant difference (p=0.39). The association between greater increase of meniscal extrusion with varus force and WOMAC scores was not statistically significant. In conclusion this study defines the contribution of the varus force component of the adduction moment to meniscal extrusion, in patients with a medial meniscus posterior root-tear.

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging Pattern of the Lesions Caused by Knee Overuse in the Pediatric Population.

Background and Objectives: Excessive use of the knee in patients with immature locomotor systems leads to a whole spectrum of morphological changes with possible consequences in adulthood. This study aimed to examine the morphological pattern in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that is associated with recurrent pain due to increased physical activity in children. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted among pediatric patients treated at the University Children's Hospital in Belgrade in 2018 and 2019. MRI findings of patients who reported recurrent pain in the knee joint during physical activity and who were without any pathological findings on both clinical examination and knee radiographs were included in the study. Results: MRI findings of 168 patients (73 boys and 95 girls, mean age 14.07 ± 3.34 years) were assessed. Meniscus and cartilage lesions were the most commonly detected morphological findings: meniscus lesions in 49.4%, cartilage ruptures in 44.6%, and cartilage edema in 26.2% of patients. The medial meniscus was more often injured in girls (p = 0.030), while boys were more prone to other joint injuries (p = 0.016), re-injury of the same joint (p = 0.036), bone bruises (p < 0.001), and ligament injuries (p = 0.001). In children older than 15 years, tibial plateau cartilage edema (p = 0.016), chondromalacia patellae (p = 0.005), and retropatellar effusion (p = 0.011) were detected more frequently compared to younger children. Conclusions: Children reporting recurrent knee pain due to increased physical activity, without any detected pathological findings on clinical examination and knee radiography, may have morphological changes that can be detected on MRI. Timely diagnosis of joint lesions should play a significant role in preventing permanent joint dysfunction in the pediatric population as well as in preventing the development of musculoskeletal diseases in adulthood.

Transtibial pullout repair techniques using two simple stitches for medial meniscus posterior root tear can prevent the progression of medial meniscus extrusion and obtain successful outcomes.

PURPOSE: Transtibial pullout repairs using two simple stitches (TSS) and a combination of TSS with posteromedial pullout repair (TSS + PMP) using an all-inside meniscal repair device have been reported previously for the treatment of medial meniscus (MM) posterior root tears. This study aimed to investigate the postoperative clinical outcomes of these techniques including MM extrusion (MME). METHODS: Fifty-two patients who underwent transtibial pullout repair were investigated and divided into TSS (n = 27) and TSS + PMP (n = 25) groups. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Lysholm knee score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score 1 year postoperatively and compared between two groups. MME was measured using magnetic resonance imaging at 1 year postoperatively and compared between two groups. RESULTS: A significant improvement in each clinical score was observed in both groups, and no significant difference was seen in clinical outcomes. Moreover, no significant difference in postoperative MME was observed in both groups (TSS and TSS + PMP: 3.5 mm and 3.8 mm, respectively). Though no significant progression of MME was observed in TSS group, a significant progression of it was observed in TSS + PMP group postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that both techniques improved clinical outcomes in the short-term postoperative period. However, MME was progressed significantly in TSS + PMP group 1 year postoperatively, which indicated that PMP might not be a useful additional procedure for reducing the postoperative MME.

Differentiated activities of decorin and biglycan in the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the activities of decorin and biglycan in the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). DESIGN: Three-month-old inducible biglycan (BgniKO) and decorin/biglycan compound (Dcn/BgniKO) knockout mice were subjected to the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery to induce PTOA. The OA phenotype was evaluated by assessing joint structure and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) staining via histology, surface collagen fibril nanostructure and calcium content via scanning electron microscopy, tissue modulus via atomic force microscopy-nanoindentation, as well as subchondral bone structure and meniscus ossification via micro-computed tomography. Outcomes were compared with previous findings in the inducible decorin (DcniKO) knockout mice. RESULTS: In the DMM model, BgniKO mice developed similar degree of OA as the control (0.44 [-0.18 1.05] difference in modified Mankin score), different from the more severe OA phenotype observed in DcniKO mice (1.38 [0.91 1.85] difference). Dcn/BgniKO mice exhibited similar histological OA phenotype as DcniKO mice (1.51 [0.97 2.04] difference vs control), including aggravated loss of sGAGs, salient surface fibrillation and formation of osteophyte. Meanwhile, Dcn/BgniKO mice showed further cartilage thinning than DcniKO mice, resulting in the exposure of underlying calcified tissues and aberrantly high surface modulus. BgniKO and Dcn/BgniKO mice developed altered subchondral trabecular bone structure in both Sham and DMM groups, while DcniKO and control mice did not. CONCLUSION: In PTOA, decorin plays a more crucial role than biglycan in regulating cartilage degeneration, while biglycan is more important in regulating subchondral bone structure. The two have distinct activities and modest synergy in the pathogenesis of PTOA.

Optimization of histologic grading schemes in spontaneous and surgically-induced murine models of osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) and Articular Cartilage Structure (ACS) grading schemes applied to multiple and single sections, along with additional histologic measures, in two mouse models of Osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Six coronal histologic stifle joint sections were collected from 40 C57BL/6J mice, including aged mice with spontaneous OA (approximately 18 months of age; n = 15) and young (12-week-old) mice that either underwent destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery (n = 15) or sham surgery (n = 10). Sections were evaluated with the standard OARSI (0-6) scheme, a modified OARSI scheme, the ACS (0-12) scheme, histomorphometry of cartilage and bone, and scoring of osteophytes (0-3) and synovial hyperplasia (0-3). Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to determine the features explaining the greatest variability among the sections. RESULTS: The grading schemes performed similarly when applied to a single mid-coronal section or six total coronal sections per joint. OARSI grading produced similar results when applied to hematoxylin and eosin or toluidine blue-stained sections. Aged mice had higher severity scores in the LTP than DMM mice (mid-coronal OARSI grade aged = 2.3 and DMM = 1.1, p = 0.0006; ACS grade aged = 4.1 and DMM = 1.6, p = 0.0024). PCA resulted in retention of four factors that accounted for 78.4% of the total variance. Factor 1 (36.4%) included the OARSI grade, ACS grade, Toluidine blue grade, articular cartilage area and thickness and the osteophyte grade. CONCLUSIONS: Grading of a single mid-coronal section using either the OARSI or ACS schemes combined with osteophyte and histomorphometric measures can consistently define OA severity in mice.

Pseudotear Sign of the Anterior Horn of the Meniscus.

PURPOSE: To observe the morphology of the transverse geniculate ligament of the knee (TGL) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to analyze the cause of the pseudotear sign of the anterior horn of the meniscus caused by the TGL. METHODS: Patients who underwent MRI examination of the knee joint in the orthopaedics department of our hospital from July 2016 to August 2019 were identified. The occurrence rate, length, width, thickness, cross-sectional shape, pattern, appearance, and position relative to the anterior horn of the lateral and medial meniscus and anatomical variations were observed by multiplane and multisequence MRI. The frequency and cause of the pseudotear sign also were observed. RESULTS: The data of 101 patients were analyzed. Among them, 60 were male, and 41 were female. The average age was 42.01 (18-75) years. The occurrence rate of the TGL was 67.3% (68/101), the average length was 38.75 ± 3.56 mm, the median coronal diameter was 1.79 ± 0.60 mm, the median sagittal diameter was 1.88 ± 0.35 mm, and the cross-sectional morphology was mostly oval and round. There were 5 types of TGL connection to the anterior horn of the medial meniscus: type 1, located at the front edge; type 2, located at the upper front edge; type 3, located at the upper edge; type 4, located at the back upper edge; and type 5, was located at the back edge of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus. There was only one type of TGL insertion into the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus, located at the anterior superior edge of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. There were 4 cases of the pseudotear sign in the anterior horn of the meniscus, 3 in the lateral meniscus and 1 in the medial meniscus. The pseudotear sign of the anterior horn of the meniscus caused by the TGL was observed at a rate of 5.88% (4/68). CONCLUSIONS: In MRI examination of the knee, the anterior horn of the meniscus sometimes shows a pseudotear sign. According to the shape and route of the TGL on MRI and the direction and position of the pseudotear sign of the anterior horn of the meniscus, true and false tears of the anterior horn of the meniscus can be identified. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, diagnostic study (retrospective, noncomparative, observational case series without a consistently applied reference "gold" standard).

Intrasubstance degeneration of medial meniscus horizontal cleavage tear in young patients is associated with increased joint line obliquity in the coronal plane of the knee.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of joint line obliquity of the knee on intrasubstance degeneration of isolated medial meniscus horizontal cleavage tear (HCT) in young patients. METHODS: Sixty knees of 50 patients aged < 40 years (mean age, 33.3 ± 5.5 years old), who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) for HCT, were retrospectively reviewed. The radiologic parameters of alignment, including mechanical hip-knee-ankle (mHKA) angle, posterior tibial slope, and joint line obliquity, were measured on preoperative long-standing whole-leg radiographs. The patients were classified into two groups, simple horizontal type (type 1) and complicated type (type 2), according to the presence of diffuse intrasubstance degeneration of the meniscus on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. The risk factors for intrasubstance degeneration of HCT were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Medial joint space width (JSW) on weight-bearing 45° flexion posteroanterior radiographs and the mHKA were measured to evaluate the radiographic outcomes. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Lysholm score. Among patients followed-up for > 5 years, the clinical and radiologic outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The joint line obliquity was significantly greater in the type 2 group than in the type 1 group (2.9 ± 1.3 vs. 0.9 ± 1.4, P < 0.001), and a significant risk factor for diffuse intrasubstance degeneration (P < 0.001; odds ratio, 2.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-6.54). The relative changes in the JSW in the type 2 group were greater than those in the type 1 group during the mean follow-up period of 7.9 ± 2.5 years (26% vs 10%, P = 0.045). The modified Lysholm score was not significantly different between the two groups (n.s). CONCLUSION: The diffuse intrasubstance degeneration of medial meniscus HCTs in young patients is associated with increased joint line obliquity of the knee joints. The radiologic outcomes after APM were inferior in the patients with diffuse intrasubstance degeneration. However, the clinical outcomes were not different during the mid-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The Meniscus in Normal and Osteoarthritic Tissues: Facing the Structure Property Challenges and Current Treatment Trends.

The treatment of meniscus injuries has recently been facing a paradigm shift toward the field of tissue engineering, with the aim of regenerating damaged and diseased menisci as opposed to current treatment techniques. This review focuses on the structure and mechanics associated with the meniscus. The meniscus is defined in terms of its biological structure and composition. Biomechanics of the meniscus are discussed in detail, as an understanding of the mechanics is fundamental for the development of new meniscal treatment strategies. Key meniscal characteristics such as biological function, damage (tears), and disease are critically analyzed. The latest technologies behind meniscal repair and regeneration are assessed.

The effects of age on the severity of joint damage and intra-articular inflammation following a simulated medial meniscus injury in 3, 6, and 9 month old male rats.

Purpose: Aging is a known risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). Several transgenic rodent models have been used to investigate the effects of accelerated or delayed aging in articular joints. However, age-effects on the progression of post-traumatic OA are less frequently evaluated. The objective of this study is to evaluate how animal age affects the severity of intra-articular inflammation and joint damage in the rat medial collateral ligament plus medial meniscus transection (MCLT+MMT) model of knee OA.Methods: Forty-eight, male Lewis rats were aged to 3, 6, or 9 months old. At each age, eight rats received either an MCLT+MMT surgery or a skin-incision. At 2 months post-surgery, intra-articular evidence of CTXII, IL1ß, IL6, TNFα, and IFNγ was evaluated using a multiplex magnetic capture technique, and histological evidence of OA was assessed via a quantitative histological scoring technique.Results: Elevated levels of CTXII and IL6 were found in MCLT+MMT knees relative to skin-incision and contralateral controls; however, animal age did not affect the severity of joint inflammation. Conversely, histological investigation of cartilage damage showed larger cartilage lesion areas, greater width of affected cartilage, and more evidence of hypertrophic cartilage damage in MCLT+MMT knees with age.Conclusions: These data indicate the severity of cartilage damage subsequent to MCLT+MMT surgery is related to the rat's age at the time of injury. However, despite greater levels of cartilage damage, the level of intra-articular inflammation was not necessarily affected in 3, 6, and 9 month old male rats.

Evidence that reduction in volume protects in situ articular chondrocytes from mechanical impact.

Chondrocytes, the resident cells in articular cartilage, carry the burden of producing and maintaining the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, as these cells have a low proliferative capacity and are not readily replaced, chondrocyte death due to extreme forces may contribute to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) after injury or may inhibit healing after osteochondral transplantation, a restorative procedure for damaged cartilage that requires a series of mechanical impacts to insert the graft. Consequently, there is a need to understand what factors influence the vulnerability of in situ chondrocytes to mechanical trauma. To this end, the objective of this study was to investigate how altering cell volume by different means (hydrostatic pressure, uniaxial load, and osmotic challenge with and without inhibition of regulatory volume decrease) affects the vulnerability of in situ chondrocytes to extreme mechanical forces. Using a custom experimental platform enabling testing of viable and intact murine cartilage-on-bone explants, we established a strong correlation between chondrocyte volume and vulnerability to impact injury wherein reduced volume was protective. Moreover, we found that the volume-perturbing interventions did not affect cartilage ECM mechanical properties, suggesting that their effects on chondrocyte vulnerability occurred at the cellular level. The findings of this study offer new avenues for novel strategies aimed at preventing chondrocyte loss during osteochondral grafting or to halting the progression of cell death after a joint destabilizing injury.