Predictive factors for coronal and sagittal graft extrusion length after using tendon autograft for medial meniscus reconstruction

Abstract

Background: Meniscus extrusion occurs in most elderly individuals and most patients after meniscus allograft transplantation. The risk factors and correlative factors of meniscus extrusion have been extensively studied. However, for using tendon autograft for meniscus reconstruction, both graft type and surgical method are different from those in previous studies on meniscus extrusion.

Aim: To identify predictive factors for coronal and sagittal graft extrusion length after using tendon autograft for medial meniscus reconstruction.

Methods: Ten patients who underwent medial meniscus reconstruction with tendon autograft were selected for this retrospective observational study. The graft extrusions and potential factors were measured and correlation and regression analyses were performed to analyze their relationships.

Results: The medial graft extrusion correlated with the preoperative bilateral hip-knee-ankle angle difference, preoperative Kellgren-Lawrence grade, preoperative relative joint space width, and preoperative bilateral medial edge incline angle difference. The anterior graft correlated with the anterior tunnel edge distance at 1 week after operation. The posterior graft extrusion correlated with the preoperative bilateral hip-knee-ankle angle difference, preoperative relative joint space width, and posterior tunnel edge distance at 1 week after operation. The mean graft extrusion correlated with the preoperative bilateral hip-knee-ankle angle difference and preoperative relative joint space width. The preoperative joint space width and anterior and posterior tunnel edge distance at 1 week can be used to predict the medial, anterior, posterior, and mean graft extrusion length.

Conclusion: The preoperative joint space width and tunnel position can be used to predict the coronal and sagittal graft extrusion length after using tendon autograft for medial meniscus reconstruction.

Keywords: Autograft; Extrusion; Graft; Meniscus; Reconstruction.