Medial meniscus tear morphology and chondral degeneration of the knee: is there a relationship?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of medial meniscus tear morphology with the pathogenesis of articular cartilage degeneration.
METHODS: From May 2006 to December 2007, we prospectively evaluated 103 patients diagnosed with an isolated medial meniscus tear. Meniscus tear morphology and location, cartilage degeneration according to the Noyes score, and covariates including age, body mass index, gender, and injury date were documented. The relationship between severity of articular cartilage degeneration and meniscus tear morphology was analyzed by analysis of variance. Regression analysis was used to analyze predictors of severity of cartilage lesions.
RESULTS: Analysis of variance showed significant differences in the severity of articular cartilage lesions based on medial meniscus tear morphology (P < .05). Compared with bucket-handle/vertical tears, root and radial/flap tears were associated with significantly greater degeneration on the medial femoral condyle; root and complex tears were associated with significantly greater degeneration on the medial tibial plateau; and radial/flap tears were associated with significantly greater degeneration on the lateral tibial plateau. Age and gender were significant predictors of the Noyes medial-compartment score, and age, body mass index, and meniscus tear morphology were significant predictors of the Noyes lateral-compartment score.
CONCLUSIONS: Meniscus tears with increasing disruption of the circumferential meniscal fibers were significantly associated with cartilage lesions of increasing severity in both the medial and lateral compartments of the knee. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, prognostic case series.