title: Comparison of Clinical and Radiologic Results Between Partial Meniscectomy and Refixation of Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tears: A Minimum 5-Year Follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical and radiologic results of partial meniscectomy with those of refixation in patients with medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) at a minimum 5-year follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2005 and 2009, patients with MMPRTs who had been followed up for at least 5 years after a partial meniscectomy (group M, n = 20) or pullout repair (group R, n = 37) were recruited. The mean follow-up duration was 67.5 months in group M and 72.0 months in group R. Clinical assessments, including the Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form score, and radiographic assessments, including the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade and medial joint space width, were evaluated preoperatively and at final follow-up. We compared the preoperative results with the final results in each group, and we compared the final results of groups M and R. Five-year survival rates were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Lysholm score (P = .039) and IKDC score (P = .037) improved significantly. However, the width of the medial joint space (P < .001) and K-L grade (P < .001) worsened significantly in both groups. When we compared the final results, group R had significantly better Lysholm scores (P = .002) and IKDC scores (P < .001) than group M. Group R showed less K-L grade progression (P = .005) and less medial joint space narrowing (P < .001) than group M. The rate of conversion to total knee arthroplasty was 35% in group M, whereas there was no conversion to total knee arthroplasty in group R. The 5-year survival rates in groups M and R were 75% and 100%, respectively (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For MMPRTs, refixation was more effective than partial meniscectomy in terms of the clinical and radiologic outcomes and survival for at least 5 years' follow-up. Refixation slowed the progression of arthritic changes compared with partial meniscectomy, although it did not prevent the progression of arthrosis completely.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level III, retrospective comparative study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, KEPCO Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu Sung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Ku
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yeom
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gangneung Asan Hospital, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Jong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Ra
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Su
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hyuk
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, KonKuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: boram107@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Jin Goo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing