title: Radial tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to introduce clinical features and characteristics of radial tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and the results of arthroscopic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  From August 1996 to December 1999, 345 consecutive cases of medial meniscal tears were treated using arthroscopic surgery in Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Of these, 96 cases (27.8%) with radial tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus were reviewed. All patients were treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Based on medical records, including surgical notes and detailed arthroscopic photographs, we reviewed the age distribution of the patients, preoperative physical signs, magnetic resonance imaging, surgical findings, and clinical results using the Lysholm Knee Scoring scale and our own questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radial tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus were more common than previously known and also were more common in elderly patients. Most patients presented mechanical symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging often failed to reveal the tears. Careful attention to the nature of pain and the physical examination was critical in making a diagnosis. Although most patients were elderly and had degenerated articular cartilages, subjective symptoms improved significantly after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radial tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn are common. Diagnosis of this tear is often difficult because most patients have osteoarthritic knees masking meniscal tears and magnetic resonance imaging shows unacceptably high rates of false-negative results. Following strict surgical indications, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy can help patients with low morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV therapeutic study (case series, no or historical control group).
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. sibin@www.amc.seoul.kr
authors.forename: Seong-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Bin
authors.forename: Jong-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome