Abstract

This study assessed the incidence of generalised ligament laxity in patients presented with meniscal injuries. Prospective data were collected for 33 patients undergoing meniscal surgery, and a control group of 43 patients with clavicle fractures between June 2008 and July 2009, including demographic details, mechanism of injury and hyperlaxity. Clinical examination was used to assess the ligament laxity using the Beighton score. Laxity is scored on a 0-9 scale. Scores of 4 or above are indicative of generalised ligament laxity. Brighton criteria are used to diagnose benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) and use signs and symptoms along with Beighton score. The average Beighton score for the patients with meniscal injuries was 1.5 with a range from 0 to 8. Four patients (12%) in this group had a Beighton score of 4 or more as compared to control group that had eight patients (18%) There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with a p value of 0.24. Three patients (9%) fulfilled the Brighton criteria for BJHS. The most common cause of meniscal injury was sports related injuries in 13 patients (46%). The most common sport was football in five patients (38%). The most common procedure performed was partial medial menisectomy in 24 (72%) patients. The authors looked at the incidence of generalised ligament laxity in patients with meniscal injuries which was 12%. The authors concluded that patients with meniscal injuries does not have higher incidence of generalised ligament laxity as compared to a control group of clavicle fractures. Appropriate advice should be given to athletes about the risk of injuries after careful assessment for evidence of generalised ligament laxity.