title: Prognostic Factors in the Midterm Results of Pullout Fixation for Posterior Root Tears of the Medial Meniscus.
abstract: To identify predictors of unfavorable clinical and radiologic outcomes a minimum of 5 years after pullout fixation for medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs).
  
  
  
  In total, 40 patients who were followed for >5 years after pullout fixation in MMPRT were recruited. The mean follow-up duration was 71.1 months. Clinical outcomes, including Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and radiographic results, including Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L; 0/1/2/3/4) grade and medial joint space width, were evaluated preoperatively and at final follow-up. Preoperative prognostic factors, including age, sex, body mass index, degree of varus alignment, K-L grade, medial joint space width, meniscal extrusion, and cartilage status, by the modified Outerbridge classification (grades 1 or 2 v 3 or 4), for relatively unfavorable (fair or poor grade) Lysholm or IKDC score, and progression of K-L grade were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  
  The mean Lysholm score (52.1 ± 8.8 to 83.8 ± 11.9) and IKDC score (40.1 ± 7.6 to 73.3 ± 10.9) were improved significantly (P < .001), although the loss of medial joint space width (4.8 ± 1.1 to 3.9 ± 1.1 mm) and K-L grade (6/25/9/0/0 to 0/11/20/9/0) progressed significantly (P < .001). Unfavorable prognostic factors of the Lysholm score were grade ≥3 chondral lesions (odds ratio [OR] = 5.993; P = .028) and varus mechanical alignment (OR = 1.644; P = .017), for IKDC score were grade ≥3 chondral lesions (OR = 11.146; P = .038) and older age (OR = 1.200; P = .017). Preoperative chondral lesion grade ≥3 increased the risk of K-L grade progression (OR = 11.000; P = .031).
  
  
  
  Clinically, modified Outerbridge classification grade ≥3 chondral lesions, varus alignment, and older age were found to predict a poor prognosis after MMPRT fixation. In terms of radiographic K-L grade progression, grade ≥3 chondral lesions were identified as a poor prognostic factor.
  
  
  
  Level IV, case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hanil General Hospital, 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, 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, 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: D000367:Age Factors; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D065466:Lysholm Knee Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011379:Prognosis; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries / Q000601:surgery*