The effects of lateral meniscus posterior root tears or repair with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on the pressure of the patellofemoral joint: A biomechanical evaluation

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of tear and repair of the lateral meniscal posterior root (LMPR) on the patellofemoral contact pressure of the knee after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructed.

Methods: This was a descriptive study. Six fresh-frozen cadaveric knees collected by The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2019 and January 2022 were placed on a customized testing rig. Patellofemoral contact pressures were measured at 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion using pressure-sensitive film inserted between the patella and trochlea. The following knee states were tested: ACL reconstruction and intact lateral meniscus, ACL reconstruction, and LMPR tear, and ACL reconstruction and LMPR repair. Pressure measurements were recorded for each state.

Results: In the ACL-reconstructed knee, a tear of the LMPR increased patellofemoral contact pressure at 30° of knee flexion. The repair of the posterior root by transosseous pull-out suture reduced the patellofemoral contact pressure as the status of intact lateral meniscal posterior root at 30° of knee flexion. There was no statistical difference between ACL reconstruction with the intact meniscal root and with the meniscal root tear and with the meniscal root repair at 60° and 90° of knee flexion.

Conclusion: The posterior root tear and repair of the lateral meniscus could have an influence on patellofemoral contact stress of the knee after ACL reconstruction at 30° of knee flexion.