The impact of loading on deformation about posteromedial meniscal tears.
To simulate the effects of partial weight bearing on meniscal repair, full-thickness tears were produced in the posteromedial aspect of seven ACL-intact cadaveric knees. Following suture repair, metal markers were imbedded to index the position of the tear. A radiolucent chamber was used to position and load each knee for computed tomography scanning at flexion angles of 0 degrees, 30 degrees, and 60 degrees with and without a load force of 100 lb. Sutures were removed and the tests repeated. Changes in marker distances were obtained for each test condition. Loading produced average dimensional changes of < or =0.5 +/-0.6 mm in either sutured or unsutured menisci. Based on the Friedman test, neither flexion angle, loading, nor suture exerted a significant impact (P> or =.52). These data support clinical accelerated rehabilitation programs previously published. Therefore, partial weight bearing during convalescence is tenable.
Ganley
T
T
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Arnold
C
C
McKernan
D
D
Gregg
J
J
Cooney
T
T
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012046:Rehabilitation; D013537:Sutures; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries