Meniscal tears risk factors

Source: Anatomy and Physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal Monday by Gökmen Yapali, MSc: 

Meniscal tears are an important cause of disability and a risk factor for other conditions such as osteoarthritis. There are a lot of contributing risk factors for meniscal tears, both occupational and personal. Understanding risk factors allows practitioners and researchers to diagnose, treat and develop prevention strategies for the knee. 

A meta-analysis was performed for 17 risk factors. 11 studies, with a total of 7358 participants, were selected for a systematic review. Data of 10 of the 11 studies was available for meta-analysis. Qualitative analysis was conducted using data from 3 of the 11 studies. 

Results showed strong evidence that age (older than 60 years), gender (male), work-related kneeling and squatting, and climbing stairs (greater than 30 flights) were risk factors for degenerative meniscal tears. Strong evidence was also found that playing soccer and playing rugby were strong risk factors for acute meniscal tears. Waiting longer than 12 months between the anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstructive surgery was a strong risk factor for a medial meniscal tear but not for a lateral meniscal tear.

> From: Snoeker et al., J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 43 (2013) 352-367. All rights reserved to the Journal of Sports & Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.