Editorial Commentary: Arthroscopy Is the Gold Standard for Diagnosis of Meniscal Ramp Lesions: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Also May Be Helpful.

ABSTRACT

Identifying and treating medial meniscal ramp lesions in conjunction with ligament reconstruction restores critical stability in knees with ligament injuries. This must begin with obtaining high-quality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and critical evaluation of the MRI and include a subsequent thorough arthroscopic examination of these knees. As evident in previous studies, most surgeons associate medial meniscal ramp lesions with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Biomechanical studies have reported that a ramp lesion produces significant anterior tibial translation and external rotational instability in ACL-deficient knees that is not reestablished with an isolated ACL reconstruction. In addition, recent research identified ramp lesions in one-third of multiligament knee injuries with an intact ACL and two-thirds of patients with posteromedial tibial plateau bone bruises on MRI. Restoring knee stability and biomechanics is necessary in treating all knee ligament injuries. Don't miss the meniscal ramp lesion. Have a high index of suspicion, obtain a high-quality MRI,and arthroscopically evaluate the meniscocapsular junction of the medial meniscus, especially if there is a bone bruise seen on MRI.