Steep lateral tibial slope and lateral-to-medial slope asymmetry are risk factors for concomitant posterolateral meniscus root tears in anterior cruciate ligament injuries

PurposeTo compare sagittal and coronal tibial slopes between anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injured subjects with and without posterolateral meniscus root tear (PLRT).MethodsA chart review was conducted to identify patients with isolated ACL tears and patients with an associated PLRT. Patients with other concomitant injuries and patients who underwent surgery>6 months after the injury were excluded. Magnetic resonance image data were used to compare the medial and lateral sagittal tibial slope (MTS and LTS), lateral-to-medial slope asymmetry (LTS-MTS), and coronal slope of the tibial plateau between both groups. Mean LTS and standard deviation (SD) of the control group were calculated, and a value of >mean+1 SD was considered an abnormal LTS. Interobserver reproducibility was assessed by calculating interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of measurements independently obtained by two reviewers.ResultsFifty-nine patients met the in- and exclusion criteria. Thirty nine (66%) had an isolated ACL tear and 20 (34%) had an associated PLRT. Interrater ICCs for LTS, MTS, and coronal slope were 0.930, 0.884 and 0.825, respectively, representing good to excellent interobserver reproducibility. Patients with a PLRT had significantly steeper LTS (8.03.2 vs. 4.02.0; p<0.001) and significantly greater difference of LTS-MTS (3.7 +/- 2.9 vs. -0.6 +/- 2.0; p<0.001). Furthermore, patients with abnormal LTS were significantly overrepresented among patients with PLRT (70% vs. 18%; p<0.001). No significant difference between both groups was found for MTS and coronal slope.Conclusionp id=Par4A steep lateral tibial slope and lateral-to-medial slope asymmetry are risk factors for concomitant PLRT in ACL-injured subjects.Level of evidencep id=Par5 IV, retrospective cohort study.