Unrepaired ramp lesions are associated with a higher risk of secondary medial meniscus bucket handle tear compared to lateral meniscus bucket handle tear after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the risk of a secondary bucket handle tear (BHT) of the medial and lateral menisci after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with an unrecognized ramp lesion. The hypothesis was that an unrecognized ramp lesion would be associated with a secondary medial meniscus BHT more often than a lateral meniscus BHT.

Methods

A retrospective review of adults aged 18 or older who experienced a meniscal BHT after ACLR was conducted. An analysis of the clinical and radiological data from initial injury to revision surgery was completed. Two experts retrospectively documented the prevalence of ramp lesions present on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of the index ACLR. The predictive value of a ramp lesion for BHT laterality was evaluated using logistic regression.

Results

Seventy-six patients, 46 in the medial BHT group and 30 in the lateral BHT group, were included. A ramp lesion was present on the preoperative MRI in 33 patients in the medial BHT group compared to 13 in the lateral BHT group (p = 0.02, odds ratio: 3.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.2–8.0). In the logistic regression analysis, the only independent factor that predicted the occurrence of a medial BHT compared to a lateral BHT was the presence of a ramp tear on preoperative MRI before the index ACL surgery (logworth = 1.59; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

After a primary ACLR, an untreated ramp lesion was associated with a post-operative medial BHT more often than a lateral BHT. Unrepaired ramp lesions may be a risk factor for subsequent medial meniscus BHT after primary ACLR.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.