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The posterior horn of the medial and lateral meniscus both reduce the effective posterior tibial slope: a radiographic MRI study

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to quantify the posterior horn meniscal slope and determine its contribution to the reduction in posterior tibial slope.

Methods

Patients aged between 16 and 60 years and had intact menisci with no evidence of previous injury or surgery were included. Patients with radiological evidence of osteoarthritis Grade II–IV, any acute or chronic meniscus injuries, fractures, and ligamentous injuries were excluded. The posterior bony slope (PTS) and the meniscus slope (MS) of the posterior horns were measured at 25, 50, and 75% from the medial and lateral borders of the tibial plateau.

Results

325 MR images (mean age 37.1 ± 10.9 years) were included. There were 194 males and 131 females, with 162 left and 163 right knees. The PTS in the medial compartment ranged from (−) 2.8° to 3.7° and from (−) 1.3° to 1.9° in the lateral compartment (p = 0.0001). The MS in the medial compartment ranged from 27.4° to 28.2°, and from 27.8° to 28.7° in the lateral compartment (p > 0.05). The differences between the medial and lateral knee compartment were statistically significant. At the 25% interval the p level was 0.037, at 50% p = 0.00001, and at 75% p = 0.0001. There were no significant between gender differences.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrated a significant reduction in posterior tibial bone slope by the posterior horns of both the medial and lateral meniscus, from a mean of (−) 1° to 2° to a more horizontal anterior slope. The posterior bone slope was larger in the medial compartment by 1°, resulting in a smaller slope reduction in the lateral compartment.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Valiant Clinic/Houston Methodist Group, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Erik Hohmann

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Cnr Bophelo and Dr Savage Road, Gezina, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Erik Hohmann

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, Australia

    Kevin Tetsworth

  4. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Kevin Tetsworth

  5. Limb Reconstruction Center, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Park, Australia

    Kevin Tetsworth

  6. Orthopaedic Research Centre of Australia, Brisbane, Australia

    Kevin Tetsworth

  7. Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Vaida Glatt

  8. Orthopaedic Research Centre of Australia, Brisbane, Australia

    Vaida Glatt

  9. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa

    Mthunzi Ngcelwane

  10. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Natalie Keough

  11. Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Natalie Keough

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  1. Erik Hohmann
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  4. Mthunzi Ngcelwane
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  5. Natalie Keough
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Contributions

EH: conceptualisation, protocol, design interpretation, writing, final approval of manuscript; MN: conceptualisation, protocol, final approval of manuscript; KT: conceptualisation, protocol, writing, final approval of manuscript; VG: conceptualisation, protocol, writing, final approval of manuscript; NK: conceptualisation, protocol, design interpretation, writing, final approval of manuscript.

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Correspondence to Erik Hohmann.

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Hohmann, E., Tetsworth, K., Glatt, V. et al. The posterior horn of the medial and lateral meniscus both reduce the effective posterior tibial slope: a radiographic MRI study. Surg Radiol Anat 43, 1123–1130 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-021-02696-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-021-02696-8

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