title: Characteristics of radial tears in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus compared to horizontal tears.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical and radiologic features of radial tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn were compared with those of horizontal tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2007 to December 2008, 387 consecutive cases of medial meniscal tears were treated arthroscopically. Among these, 91 were radial tears in the medial meniscus posterior horn, and 95 were horizontal tears in the posterior segment of the medial meniscus. The patients' data (age, gender, duration of symptom, body mass index, and injury history), radiographic findings (Kellgren and Lawrence score, posterior tibial slope, and femorotibial angle), and chondral lesions were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient factors of age, gender, and body mass index were related to radial tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn. Radial tears were significantly correlated with Kellgren and Lawrence score, varus alignment, posterior tibial slope, and severity of the chondral lesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radial tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn are a unique clinical entity that are associated with older age, females and obesity, and are strongly associated with an increased incidence and severity of cartilage degeneration compared to horizontal tears.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chul-Jun
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Yun-Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: In-Bum
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Chong-Hyuk
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries