Anamnestic prediction of bucket handle compared to other tear patterns of the medial meniscus in stable knees

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the preoperative anamnestic details between patients with an arthroscopic diagnosis of bucket handle and other tear patterns of the medialmeniscus in stable knees.Methods: A total of 204 patients (mean age 49.3± 13 years) were included in the study. The mean agewas 49.3± 13 years. The study group included 65 patients (63 males, 2 females) with an arthroscopicdiagnosis of bucket handle tear and the control group included 139 patients (90 males, 49 females) withnon-bucket handle tear patterns. The preoperative clinical assessments of the two groups were analyzedretrospectively. Anamnestic prediction for the diagnosis of a bucket handle tear was based upon variousmedical history parameters. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify independentanamnestic factors for predicting isolated bucket handle tears of the medial meniscus compared to nonbucket handle tears.Results: Analysis of the multivariate logistic regression yielded 3 statistically signiŞcant independentanamnestic risk factors for predicting isolated bucket handle tears of the medial meniscus: male gender(OR, 9.7; 95% CI, 1.1e37.6), locking events (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.8e11.3) and pain in extension (OR, 6.9; 95%CI, 2.5e23.7). Other preoperative variables such as age, BMI, activity level, comorbidities, duration ofsymptoms, pain location, preceding injury and its mechanism had no signiŞcant effect on tear pattern.Conclusions: Preoperative strong clues for bucket handle tears of the medial meniscus in stable knees aremale gender, locking events and limitation in extension.Level of evidence: Level III, Diagnostic study