Evaluation of the Factors Affecting Root Tears of the Posterior Horn of the Medial Meniscus as Confirmed during Total Knee Arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We examined the incidence of root tear of the medial meniscus posterior horn among patients who had undergone total knee replacement and we analyzed the factors that cause this tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 258 knees of 173 patients who had undergone total knee replacement from January 2008 to June 2009. The mean age was 68.8 (range 50~87). There were 23 men (28 cases) and 150 women (230 cases). We performed statistical correlation analysis between the assumed causes of meniscal tears (age, gender, grade of osteoarthritis, the predisposition site, BMI and varus deformity) and root tears. RESULTS: Meniscal tears were observed in 182 cases (70.5%), and there were 18 cases (64.2%) of 28 cases and 164 cases (71.3%) of 230 cases in the men and women, respectively. Root tear had correlation with the severity of osteoarthritis (p=0.040) and varus deformity (p=0.030), but other underlying factors didn't show significant correlation (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Root tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn in total knee arthroplasty were related to the severity of osteoarthritis and varus deformity, but active interventions are required whether or not there are predisposing factors that cause osteoarthritis.