ISSN : 2663-2187

Comparative Morphometric Analysis of Medial and Lateral Menisci in Cadaveric Knee Joints: Implications for Injury Mechanisms, Surgical Interventions, and Prosthetic Design

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Shashi Bhushan Pandey, Manoj Kulkarni
ยป doi: 10.33472/AFJBS.6.7.2024.1-12

Abstract

The knee joint's functionality is significantly dependent on the structural integrity and morphometry of the medial and lateral menisci. These crescent-shaped cartilaginous structures play a pivotal role in load distribution, joint stability, and shock absorption. Variations in meniscal dimensions are crucial for understanding knee biomechanics, the etiology of meniscal injuries, and optimizing surgical interventions and prosthetic designs. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 cadavers, analyzing 60 knee joints (30 right and 30 left) at the Department of Anatomy, SBKSMIRC, SVDU, Waghodia, Vadodara. Digital calipers were used to measure the distances between the anterior and posterior horns, the lengths (outer and inner circumferences), widths, and thicknesses at specified regions of the menisci. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, employing descriptive statistics, unpaired t-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients to assess morphometric variations, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: Significant differences were found in the morphometry of the medial and lateral menisci, particularly in their distances between horns, circumferential lengths, widths, and thicknesses across various segments. Notably, the medial meniscus exhibited greater distances between its horns and larger dimensions in both circumferences compared to the lateral meniscus. These morphometric variations underscore the necessity for personalized approaches in meniscal surgery and prosthetic design. Conclusion: The detailed morphometric analysis of the menisci provides invaluable insights into knee joint anatomy, with significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of meniscal injuries. Recognizing the variability in meniscal dimensions emphasizes the importance of tailored surgical and prosthetic interventions to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Despite the limitations related to cadaveric specimen variability, this study marks a critical step toward integrating anatomical precision into orthopedic practices.

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