Risk Factors for Articular Cartilage Lesions in Symptomatic Discoid Lateral Meniscus

Purpose: To investigate risk factors related to articular cartilage lesions in discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) and to analyze the possible mechanisms associated with articular cartilage lesions. Methods: From October 2004 to April 2008, 103 knees in 97 patients with DLM confirmed by arthroscopy were operated on at our clinical center. Among them, 16 knees were accompanied by articular cartilage injury. Data on risk factors, including patient age, traumatic history, DLM type, presence or absence of tear, symptomatic duration, and meniscal shape, were analyzed to investigate the relation with articular cartilage lesion by logistic regression analysis. Results: Only symptomatic duration and meniscal shape had a significant relation with articular cartilage lesion. Symptomatic duration and meniscal shape can be regarded as risk factors, and their odds ratios were 4.983 (P < .01) and 5.356 (P < .05), respectively. Conclusions: Long symptomatic duration (> 6 months) and asymmetrical shape of DLM were more frequently related to articular cartilage lesions than other factors. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.