2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (31): 4977-4983

Relationship between anatomical morphology of the tibial plateau and meniscal tears

Zhou Hang, Feng Shuo, Zhang Jincheng, Zhang Leshu, Chen Jiahao, Chen Xiangyang   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The probability of meniscal tears is gradually increasing. However, the relationship between meniscal tears and the anatomical morphology of the tibial plateau has been poorly studied and controversial so far.  
OBJECTIVE: To measure the posterior tibial slope, medial tibial plateau depth, and lateral tibial plateau height in patients with meniscal tears and to investigate their association with meniscal tears.
METHODS: From September 2019 to June 2022, 164 patients with meniscal tears and undergoing arthroscopic treatment were selected from Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University. These patients were divided into medial meniscal tears group (n=92), lateral meniscal tears group (n=45) and medial and lateral meniscal tears group (n=27). Totally 78 patients with knee pain without meniscal tears during the same period were selected as the control group. The medial tibial slope, the lateral tibial slope, the medial tibial plateau depth and the lateral tibial plateau height in each group were carefully measured and compared.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The medial tibial slope in the medial meniscal tears group was significantly steeper than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the lateral tibial slope in the lateral meniscal tears group was steeper than that in the medial meniscal tears group and the control group (P < 0.05). The medial tibial slope of the medial meniscal tears group and the control group was significantly greater than their lateral tibial slope (P < 0.05). The medial tibial plateau depth in the medial meniscal tears group was significantly shallower than that in the lateral meniscal tears group and control group (P < 0.05), and the lateral tibial plateau height in the lateral meniscal tears group was higher than that in the medial meniscal tears group and control group (P < 0.05). (2) These results indicate that steep posterior tibial slope is a risk factor for meniscal tears. A shallow medial tibial plateau depth and a high lateral tibial plateau height have the potential to cause meniscal tears.

Key words: meniscal tears, posterior tibial slope, knee, medial tibial plateau depth, lateral tibial plateau height