J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2006 Jun;41(3):434-440.

Clinical Findings of the CompleteRadial Rupture of the Meniscal Root Ligament of the Medial Meniscus Posterior Horn: Preliminary Report

• Kim YM
• Rhee KJ
• Lee JK
• Hwang DS
• Kwon ST
• Song HS

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical findings of a complete radial rupture of the meniscal root ligament of the medial meniscus posterior horn.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From April, 2004 to December, 2004, nineteen patients (mean age, 56.5 years old) who were diagnosed with a medial root ligament rupture of the medial meniscus posterior horn during an arthroscopic treatment were enrolled in this study. The clinical findings, physical examinations, and the radiological and arthroscopic findings were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
Thirteen out of the nineteen cases had tenderness of the knee without specific trauma. The preoperative physical examination revealed posteromedial joint line tenderness in fifteen cases. A medial joint line protrusion with direct tenderness was observed in six cases (31.5%) and a positive McMurray test was observed in seventeen cases (89.5%). MRI was carried out in sixteen patients. All sixteen patients were diagnosed with a rupture of the meniscal root ligament using the author's diagnostic MRI criteria.
CONCLUSION
Non-traumatic pain and posteromedial joint line tenderness in patients in their sixth decade are indications of a rupture of the meniscal root ligament of the medial meniscus posterior horn. Confirmation using MRI and arthroscopy is important for making a diagnosis.

Keyword

Knee joint; Medial meniscus posterior horn; Rupture of menical root ligament; Medial joint line tenderness (MJLT)

MeSH Terms

Animals
Arthroscopy
Diagnosis
Horns*
Humans
Joints
Knee
Knee Joint
Ligaments*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Menisci, Tibial*
Physical Examination
Retrospective Studies
Rupture*