title: Changes in articular cartilage following arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine degenerative changes in all cartilage surfaces of the knee following arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this prospective cohort study, 14 patients (five female) with a mean age of 47.9 ± 12.9 years who had undergone isolated arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy were evaluated. Cartilage-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were acquired from the operated knees before the index operations, as well as at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The MRI scans were assessed for the prevalence, severity, and size of cartilage degenerations. The clinical outcome was assessed using the SF-36 physical and mental component score and the International Knee Documentation Committee Knee Evaluation Form and was correlated with radiological findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in the severity of cartilage lesions in the medial tibial plateau (P = 0.019), as well as a trend towards an increase in the lateral tibial plateau. The size of the cartilage lesions increased significantly in the medial femoral condyle (P = 0.005) and lateral femoral condyle (P = 0.029), as well as in the patella (P = 0.019). Functional outcome scores improved significantly throughout the follow-up period. There was no correlation between cartilage wear and functional outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy is associated with adverse effects on articular cartilage and may lead to an increase in the severity and size of cartilage lesions. Post-operative cartilage wear predominantly affected the medial compartment and also affected the other compartments of the knee. Strategies to reduce subsequent osteoarthritic changes need to involve all compartments of the knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. martin.eichinger@uki.at.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eichinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schocke
authors.affiliation: Sports Clinic Austria, Olympiastrasse 39, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoser
authors.affiliation: Sports Clinic Austria, Olympiastrasse 39, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Ralf E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Rosenberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Arthroscopy; Cartilage; Knee; Magnetic resonance imaging; Meniscectomy; Osteoarthritis