Slope of the Medial Tibial Plateau and the Incidence of a Medial Meniscal Tear

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

1 Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

3 Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran- Clinical Research Development Unit, Taleghani Educational Hospital, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies of the association between tibial slope and meniscal tear have led to 
contradictory results. In this regard, the present study aimed to examine the effect of medial tibial 
plateau slope on the incidence of isolated medial meniscal tear.
Methods: This study was performed on 75 patients with a posterior horn medial meniscal tear and 150 matched 
control subjects. Two different observers evaluated the slope of the medial tibial plateau on the lateral radiographs. 
Reliability of radiographic evaluation was investigated in a pilot study using the intraclass correlation coefficient 
(ICC) test.
Results: Intra-observer reliability for the slope of the medial tibial plateau was high, with ICC values of 0.961 and 
0.957 for the first and second observers, respectively. The interobserver reliability was 0.947. The mean slope was 
10.2±3.7° in the case group and 10.1±4.4° in the control group (P=0.97). Moreover, the mean slopes of the medial 
tibial plateau were 10.3±4.1º and 10.1±4.2º in participants with tibial bone varus angles of (TBVA) < 4º and ≥ 4.2 
(P=0.77). The slope was not statistically correlated with age (r=0.074, 95% CI: -0.05−0.20, P=0.26), gender (r=0.07, 
P=0.29), BMI (r=0.02, 95% CI: -0.10−0.15, P=0.74), level of joint degeneration (r=-0.023, 95% CI: -0.11−0.15, 
P=0.73), and TBVA (r=-0.010, 95% CI: -0.14−0.12; P=0.12).
Conclusion: No significant difference was found between patients with and without an isolated meniscal tear in 
terms of the medial tibial plateau slope. These results suggest that the tibial slope may not affect the incidence of 
isolated medial meniscal tears.
 Level of evidence: III

Keywords

Main Subjects

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 12, Issue 11
November 2024
Pages 754-759

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 June 2024
  • Revise Date: 26 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 28 August 2024

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