A Bio-Mechanical Relationship between ACL Tear and Meniscal Injuries

Abstract

Objective: To examine how often meniscal tears occur alongside ACL injuries and to understand their characteristics and patterns.

Methodology: This retrospective study explored the experiences of patients treated for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital over two years, from August 2023  to August 2024. We included 52 patients in our research. By reviewing their case records, we aimed to understand how often meniscal lesions occurred alongside ACL tears and used appropriate statistical methods to analyze the data.

Our findings highlight the connection between ACL injuries and meniscal damage, which can help shape better treatment plans and improve outcomes for patients. Sharing more about our statistical analysis and specific results can deepen our understanding of these important insights.

Results: In this study, we reviewed 52 patients with ACL tears. Most of these injuries were found in the younger age group of 20 to 29 years, representing 46.15% of the cases. Out of these patients, 19 (36.54%) had meniscal tears. Specifically, 9 patients (47.37%) had tears in the lateral meniscus, 6 (31.58%) had tears in the medial meniscus, and 4 (21.05%) had tears in both menisci. Notably, bucket handle tears (n=12) were the most frequently observed type of meniscal injury. Additionally, radial tears were especially common in patients with bilateral meniscus injuries (n=4).

Conclusion:Meniscal tears are the most common intra-articular injuries associated with ACL tears, especially among those aged 20 to 29. Our findings showed that lateral meniscal tears are significantly more prevalent than medial meniscal tears. Additionally, bucket handle tears were the most frequently encountered type of meniscal injury. As a result, it’s important for surgeons to have the right tools for meniscal repair in their surgical toolkit.