Unfavorable results of partial meniscectomy for complete posterior medial meniscus root tear with early osteoarthritis: a 5- to 8-year follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for complete posterior medial meniscus root tear (PMMRT) in patients with early radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis at a minimum follow-up of 5 years.


METHODS
Forty-six cases had complete PMMRT with follow-up of at least 5 years and were treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. On the basis of medical records, we reviewed the arthroscopic findings of joint degeneration (Outerbridge grading), clinical results using the modified Lysholm (ML) knee score and a patient questionnaire, and radiographic evaluation of degeneration using Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading.


RESULTS
The incidence of complete PMMRT in the study population was 15%. At a mean follow-up of 78 months (range, 60 to 103 months), the mean ML score significantly improved from 72 (range, 62 to 78) preoperatively to 77 (range, 70 to 98) at final follow-up (P < .01), 16 patients (35%) showed progression of degeneration from KL grade 0 to 2 preoperatively to KL grade 2 to 4, 56% of patients indicated improvement in pain, 67% of patients were satisfied with the results of the procedure, and 19% of patients underwent reoperation. There was a significant negative correlation between chondral wear during arthroscopy (ρ = -0.516, P = .002) and preoperative KL grade (ρ = -0.429, P = .004) with ML score at final follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Although arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for complete PMMRT significantly improved ML scores postoperatively, only 56% of patients had improvement in pain, 67% were satisfied with the outcome of the procedure, and 35% showed radiographic progression of osteoarthritis at a mean follow-up of 77 months.


METHODS
Level IV, therapeutic study.
Han
Seung Beom
SB
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ilsanpaik Hospital, Inje University, Ilsan, South Korea.
Shetty
Gautam M
GM
Lee
Dae Hee
DH
Chae
Dong Ju
DJ
Seo
Seung Suk
SS
Wang
Kook Hyun
KH
Yoo
Si Hoon
SH
Nha
Kyung Wook
KW
D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D013997:Time Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure