Biomechanical Analysis of Meniscotibial Ligament Tenodesis to Treat Meniscal Extrusion in the Setting of Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Repair.

BACKGROUND

Meniscal extrusion often persists after a medial meniscus root repair. If the meniscus is extruded, the function of the meniscus as a load-sharing device and secondary knee stabilizer is compromised.

HYPOTHESIS: It was hypothesized that repairing the meniscotibial ligament (MTL) would decrease meniscal extrusion in the settings of both an isolated MTL tear and a repaired medial meniscus root while also improving medial compartment contact mechanics.

STUDY

DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric knees (mean age, 50.5 years) were tested in 5 conditions: intact, MTL deficiency, MTL deficiency + posterior medial meniscus root deficiency, MTL deficiency + posterior medial meniscus root repair, and MTL tenodesis + posterior medial meniscus root repair. Specimens were mounted to a load frame that applied a 1000-N axial load. Joint contact pressures were measured using thin pressure sensors, and the peak and mean pressures were analyzed. Ultrasound was used to measure meniscal extrusion.

RESULTS

The MTL tear in isolation resulted in significant meniscal extrusion compared with the intact state (P = 0.035) without a detectable difference in medial compartment pressures. The addition of a root tear to the MTL tear state resulted in significantly more extrusion (P = 0.001) and significant increases in medial compartment pressure (P = .030) compared to the MTL tear state. Root repair alone restored extrusion, mean contact pressure, and peak contact pressure back to the intact state (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that MTL disruption led to increased meniscal extrusion in a cadaveric model. Unlike the root tear state, MTL disruption did not change contact mechanics. Furthermore, root repair alone was sufficient in restoring intact biomechanics and extrusion.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study may help clinicians understand the origin of medial meniscus root tears and aid in the decision-making process for whether to add an MTL tenodesis in the setting of root repair.