Muscle strength, functional performance, and self-reported outcomes four years after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in middle-aged patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine thigh muscle strength, functional performance, and self-reported outcome in patients with nontraumatic meniscus tears 4 years after operation, and to study the impact of a strength deficit on self-reported outcome and evaluate the feasibility of 3 performance tests in this patient group.


METHODS
The study group comprised 45 patients (36% women, mean age 46.7) who had an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy a mean of 4 years (range 1-6 years) previously. Main outcome measures included isokinetic strength of knee extensors and flexors, functional performance (1-leg hop, 1-leg rising, and square-hop tests), and a self-reported questionnaire (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score).


RESULTS
We found lower knee extensor strength and worse 1-leg rising capacity in the operated leg, but no difference between operated and nonoperated leg for knee flexors (P < or = 0.004 and P > 0.3, respectively). Patients with a stronger quadriceps of the operated leg compared with the nonoperated leg had less pain and better function and quality of life (r = 0.4-0.6, P < or = 0.010). We found the 1-leg rising and 1-leg hop tests to be suitable performance tests in middle-aged meniscectomy patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Quadriceps strength is reduced in the meniscectomized leg compared with the nonoperated leg 4 years after surgery. This relative quadriceps weakness significantly affects objective and self-reported knee function, pain, and quality of life, indicating the importance of restoring muscle function after meniscectomy in middle-aged patients.
Ericsson
Ylva B
YB
Physical Therapy Unit, Department of Orthopaedics, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. ylva.ericsson@skane.se
Roos
Ewa M
EM
Dahlberg
Leif
L
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D053580:Muscle Strength; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013848:Thigh / Q000502:physiology; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome