Segond fracture: an indicator for increased risk of lateral meniscus injury in patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament ruptures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and anatomic distribution of meniscus injury in patients who have sustained acute ACL injuries with and without concomitant Segond fracture. We hypothesized that patients who have sustained a torn ACL with a concomitant Segond fracture would have a higher incidence of lateral meniscal injuries than patients with an isolated ACL injury.

METHODS: Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction from 2012 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Segond fractures were identified on knee radiographs. Inclusion criteria were age 18-40, injury during sports activity, and reconstruction within 90 days of injury. Sports activity, anatomic location of meniscus injury, and meniscus treatment were documented. Multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of meniscus injury/treatment.

RESULTS: There were 25 of 603 (4.1%) patients who had an ACL tear with concomitant Segond fracture. The incidence of lateral meniscus injury in the Segond group (72%) was significantly higher than in the non-Segond cohort (49%; p = 0.024). A significantly smaller proportion of medial meniscus injuries among patients with Segond fractures were repaired (23.1%) compared to the non-Segond group (54.2%; p = 0.043). Multivariate analysis found patients with Segond fractures to have increased odds of lateral meniscus injury (OR 2.68; [1.09, 6.60], p = 0.032) and were less likely to have medial meniscus injuries repaired (OR 0.35; [0.15, 0.81], p = 0.014). Additionally, males had increased odds of lateral meniscus injury (OR 1.54; [1.08 - 2.91], p = 0.017), which were more likely to require repair (OR 1.48; [1.02, 2.14], p = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS: Among acute ACL injuries, the incidence of lateral meniscus injury is greater among patients with Segond fractures. Patients with Segond fracture were less likely to undergo repair of medial meniscal injuries.