TITLE:
Epidemiology of Chondral and Meniscal Lesions in Multiligament Knee Injuries: A Retrospective Analysis in a Single Tertiary Center
AUTHORS:
Mohd Azreen Ezainy, ShriDevi Subramaniam, Siti Hawa Tahir
KEYWORDS:
Multiligaments Knee Injuries, Meniscus, Cartilage
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.13 No.7,
July
17,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) are complex injuries often associated with intra-articular pathologies such as meniscal and chondral lesions. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term joint deterioration. Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of meniscal and chondral injuries in patients with MLKI at a tertiary center. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed data of 65 patients who underwent surgery for MLKI. Demographic information, mechanism of injury, number of ligaments injured, and time to surgery were analyzed. The presence of meniscal and chondral lesions was assessed and correlated with clinical factors. Results: Meniscal and chondral injuries were present in 86.2% and 84.6% of patients, respectively. Most patients (75.4%) sustained injuries due to road traffic accidents. Surgical intervention was delayed beyond one year in 78.5% of cases. A significant association was found between time to surgery and presence of chondral lesions (p = 0.002). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of intra-articular injuries in MLKI, especially in delayed presentations. Early referral and timely surgical management are crucial in reducing the risk of cartilage damage and improving outcomes.