A meta-analysis of clinical and radiographic outcomes of posterior horn medial meniscus root repairs.
OBJECTIVE
Although interest in medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) repair has increased, few case series have been reported. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the clinical and radiological effects of MMPRT repair by pooling pre- and post-operative data from case-series reports.


METHODS
A literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE databases. Pre- and post-operative data were pooled to investigate the effects of MMPRT repair, including the Lysholm score improvement, meniscal extrusion (mm) reduction, progression of the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade, and cartilage status according to the Outerbridge classification. Treatment effects included paired standardized mean differences (difference in the pre- and post-operative mean outcomes divided by the standard deviation) for the Lysholm score and meniscal extrusion, as well as the pooled event rates of progression of K-L grade and cartilage status.


RESULTS
As treatment effects, the Lysholm score increased by as much as 3.675 (P < 0.001), whereas meniscus extrusion was not reduced (n.s.). The overall pooled event rates of progression of K-L grade and cartilage status were 10.6 and 17.3 % (P < 0.001), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the current literature, MMPRT repair resulted in significant improvements in the post-operative clinical subjective scores compared with the preoperative status. However, meniscus extrusion was not reduced. Considering the occurrence of progression of K-L grade and cartilage status, it did not prevent the progression of arthrosis completely. Based on these results, repair results in favourable outcomes for MMPRT.


METHODS
Meta-analysis, Level IV.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, KEPCO Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Kyu Sung
KS
Chung
Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medical Center and Sports Medical Research Institute, Seoul Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Korea.
Jeong Ku
JK
Ha
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gangneung Asan Hospital, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Gangneung, Korea.
Ho Jong
HJ
Ra
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, KonKuk University Medical Center, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea. boram107@hanmail.net.
Jin Goo
JG
Kim
D001182:Arthroscopy; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing
Medial meniscus; Meniscus tear; Posterior root; Repair