Long-term evaluation of posterior lateral meniscus root tears left in situ at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND

The long-term radiographic and subjective results of patients with posterior lateral meniscus root tears left in situ at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has not been reported.

HYPOTHESIS

The authors hypothesized that patients who had posterior lateral meniscus root tears left in situ would have statistically significantly lower subjective scores and greater joint-space narrowing as compared with a control group.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients who had isolated posterior lateral meniscus root tear and >5 years objective and subjective follow-up were evaluated and compared with a matched control group without meniscal tears based on sex, chronicity of tear, age, and follow-up time. Patients were evaluated subjectively and objectively using the International Knee Documentation Committee criteria.

RESULTS

The mean objective follow-up time was 10.6 ± 4.5 years. The mean subjective total score was 84.6 ± 14 in the study group versus 90.5 ± 13 in the control group (P = .09). Radiographs showed lateral joint-space narrowing rated as normal in 19, mild in 10, moderate in 3, and severe in 1 versus the control group, which was normal in 28 and mild in 5 patients. The measured amount of lateral joint-space narrowing compared with the other knee was 1.0 ± 1.6 mm in the study group versus 0 ± 1.1 mm in the controls on 45° flexed posteroanterior radiographs (P < .006).

CONCLUSION

At a mean of 10 years' follow-up of posterior lateral meniscus root tears left in situ, mild lateral joint-space narrowing was measured without significant differences in subjective or objective scores compared with controls. This study provides a baseline that can be used to compare the results of procedures used to treat these tears in other manners.