Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study was to determine, in vivo, the effect of different types of meniscectomy on an ACL-deficient knee.
Methods
Using a computer-assisted navigation system, 56 consecutive patients (45 men and 11 women) were subjected to a biomechanical testing with Lachman test (AP30), drawer test (AP90), internal/external rotation test, varus/valgus rotation test and pivot-shift test. The patients were divided into three groups according to the status of the medial meniscus. Group BH, 8 patients with bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus underwent a subtotal meniscectomy; Group PHB, 19 patients with posterior horn body of medial meniscus tear underwent a partial meniscectomy; and Group CG with isolated ACL rupture, as a control group, with 29 patients.
Results
A significant difference in anterior tibial translation was seen at 30 grades and in 90 grades between BH and PHB groups compared to the CG. In response to pivot-shift test, no significant differences in terms of AREA and POSTERIOR ACC were found among the three groups (n.s). Concerning the anterior displacement of the pivot shift a statistically significant differences among the three tested groups was found.
Conclusion
The present study shows that meniscal defects significantly affect the kinematics of an ACL-deficient knee in terms of anterior tibial translation under static and dynamic testing.
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Zaffagnini, S., Signorelli, C., Bonanzinga, T. et al. Does meniscus removal affect ACL-deficient knee laxity? An in vivo study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 24, 3599–3604 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-016-4222-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-016-4222-y