Meniscal Displacement and Loss of Load-Transmission Function After Radial Tear of the Lateral Meniscus in a Porcine Model: New Insights Into the Functional Dynamics of the Injured Meniscus

Abstract

Background:

Meniscal extrusion/translation has been used as an index for meniscal treatment. However, the relationship between meniscal displacement and the degree of meniscal tear or load–transmission function of the lateral meniscus (LM) remains unclear.

Purpose:

To clarify the relationship between the width of the radial tear of the LM and (1) meniscal displacement or (2) resultant force through the meniscus under axial compressive load in the porcine model.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Eight intact porcine knees with or without a partial radial tear at the midbody of the LM (involving 30%, 60%, or 90% of its width) were investigated. Reflective markers were attached to the outer wall of the anterior, anteromiddle, posteromiddle, and posterior segments of the LM. A 300-N axial load was applied at 2 flexion angles (30° and 60°), and the 3–dimensional forces and trajectories of the knees were recorded. Marker movements were simultaneously tracked using a motion capture camera system. After total meniscectomy of the LM, the recorded knee trajectories were reproduced, and the resultant force through the LM was calculated (a force carried only by the meniscus in response to a load applied to the whole knee joint).

Results:

At both flexion angles, the change in distance (mean ± SD) between the anterior and posterior markers under load increased significantly more in the anteroposterior direction in LMs with a 90% tear than in intact LMs (30°, 0.4 ± 0.3 vs 1.4 ± 0.8 mm, P = .004; 60°, 0.1 ± 0.7 vs 1.4 ± 1.0 mm, P < .001 [intact vs 90% tear]). The change in distance between the anteromiddle and posteromiddle markers at 30° also significantly increased in LMs with a 90% tear (0.2 ± 0.2 vs 1.3 ± 1.2 mm, P = .02 [intact vs 90% tear]). The resultant force was significantly lower in LMs with a 90% tear than in intact LMs (30°, 125 ± 47 vs 48 ± 20 N, P < .001; 60°, 93 ± 46 vs 43 ± 11 N, P = .002 [intact vs 90% tear]). We found no significant differences in either meniscal displacements or resultant forces between intact LMs and those with 30% or 60% tears.

Conclusion:

LMs with a 90%-width midbody radial tear lost load–transmission function with their displacement relative to the tibia primarily in the anteroposterior direction in the porcine model.

Clinical Relevance:

Even 1 mm of displacement after meniscal injury is evidence that the load–transmission function of the meniscus is greatly impaired. When a displaced torn LM is diagnosed in preoperative imaging, meniscal repair surgery should be considered.