title: Influence of medial meniscectomy on tibiofemoral joint space width.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of partial medial meniscectomy on tibiofemoral joint space width (JSW).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven patients (mean age: 51 years), suffering from medial meniscal lesions, (post-traumatic (n=22) or degenerative (n=15)), and requiring arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, were enrolled in a prospective, controlled study. Bilateral weight-bearing radiographs in extended and flexed position were performed in the same Radiology Unit just before and 2 days after meniscectomy. During arthroscopy, the extent of meniscectomy was evaluated in percentage and medial chondropathy was quantified using the Société Française d'Arthroscopie (SFA) scoring system (SFA score: 0-100). Medial chondropathy was absent or mild (mean SFA score: 8+/-13). Meniscectomy removed an average of 61% of the posterior third of the medial meniscus, 51% of the middle third and 22% of the anterior third. Radiographs, before and after meniscectomy, were read singly and were analyzed by a single reader unaware of patient identity and date of radiographs. Medial JSW was measured at the narrowest point of the medial compartment using a 0.1mm graduated magnifying glass.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison of JSW before and after meniscectomy did not show any statistically significant difference (mm): 0.01+/-0.43 (p=0.83) and -0.05+/-0.56 (p=0.66) in the extended and flexed views, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study suggests that partial medial meniscectomy does not influence tibiofemoral JSW on weight-bearing X-rays. Consequently, joint space narrowing appearing after partial meniscectomy should lead to seeking postmeniscectomy cartilage degradation rather than being attributed to removal of the meniscus.
authors.affiliation: Service de Rhumatologie B, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris,Université René Descartes, Paris, France. xavier.ayral@cch.ap-hop-paris.fr <xavier.ayral@cch.ap-hop-paris.fr>
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ayral
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bonvarlet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simonnet
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Auleley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dougados
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ravaud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography