• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2009

Purpose: We wanted to report the clinical characteristics and arthroscopic findings of radial tear in medial meniscus posterior horn insertion, commonly occurs in patient over middle age with documentary review. Materials and Methods: Retrograde study using hospital records was done to 40 cases in 40 patients who visited our hospital and had been performed knee arthroscopic surgery due to medial meniscus posterior horn insertion tear between January, 2005 to April, 2007. Seven cases were male and 33 cases were female with the mean age of 61 (range, 47-80). Trauma history, stage of arthritis, period between pain and operation, MRI findings, clinical symptoms and operation methods were evaluated. Results : Six cases had trauma history while 34 cases didn't. In simple x-ray, using Kellgren-Lawrence classification, 31 cases were between stage 0 and II while 9 cases were stage III. In arthroscopic exam, there were 17 cases of Outerbridge grade IV, 4 cases of grade III, 9 cases of grade II, 9 cases of grade I. The mean duration of pain was 5.3 months. In MRI, at least one finding of cleft in axial or coronal view or ghost sign in sagittal view was found in all cases. The shape of meniscus tears were blunt in 18 cases, transverse in 12 and degenerative tear in 10. Subtotal meniscectomy was performed in 16 cases, partial meniscectomy in 10 cases and meniscal repair in 14 cases. Conclusion : Medial meniscus posterior horn insertion tear occurs in patients over middle age is rarely related to trauma history but causes painful mechanical symptom and usually accompany arthritis. Meniscectomy can be done for the treatment but repair can be considered is some cases. Further study on the treatment result will be needed.