Open AccessFailed meniscal repair increases the risk for osteoarthritis and poor knee function at an average of 9 years follow‐up
Author(s) -
Rönnblad Erik,
Barenius Björn,
Stålman Anders,
Eriksson Karl
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.806
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1433-7347
pISSN - 0942-2056
DOI - 10.1007/s00167-021-06442-w
Subject(s) - medicine , meniscus , osteoarthritis , physical therapy , odds ratio , knee joint , surgery , medial meniscus , quality of life (healthcare) , incidence (geometry) , pathology , physics , alternative medicine , nursing , optics
Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of meniscal repair on OA in the knee joint and patient‐related outcomes. Methods Three‐hundred and sixteen meniscal repairs performed between 1999 and 2011 were analysed. Patient‐related outcome measures were assessed through mailed questionnaires including KOOS, Lysholm score and Tegner activity level. Patients answering the questionnaires were encouraged to perform a radiographic evaluation with Rosenberg views, assessed according to Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) classification. The primary endpoint was to determine the effect of meniscal repair on the development of radiographic OA defined as a KL grade 2 or more. Results Mean follow‐up time was 9.3 years (SD 3.6), 162 (51%) patients answered the questionnaires, and 86 patients completed the X‐ray. The odds ratio for OA with a failed meniscus repair was 5.1 ( p = 0.007) adjusted for gender and age at time of follow‐up. KOOS showed a clinically important difference in the sport and recreation subscale ( p = 0.041). Conclusions There was an increased risk for OA in the affected compartment with a failed meniscus fixation. This supports the fact that the meniscus is an important protector of the cartilage in the knee. The meniscus injury affects the long‐term health‐related quality of life according to KOOS and in light of this study we recommend repair of a torn meniscus whenever possible. Level of evidence III.