Substantial disability 3 months after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy: A prospective study of patient-relevant outcomes

• Published in: Arthroscopy Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 619 - 626
• Main Authors: Roos, Ewa M., Roos, Harald P., Ryd, Leif, Lohmander, L.Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 01-09-2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Activity level; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Medicine; Disability Evaluation; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Kirurgi; Klinisk medicin; KOOS; Leisure Activities; Male; Medical and Health Sciences; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Meniscectomy; Menisci, Tibial - surgery; Middle Aged; Orthopedic surgery; Orthopedics; Ortopedi; Patient Satisfaction; Patient-relevant outcomes; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Regression Analysis; SF-36; Statistics, Nonparametric; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Patient-relevant outcomes; Activity level; KOOS; Meniscectomy; SF-36; Human; Endoscopic surgery; Orthopedic surgery; Arthroscopy; Prognosis; Questionnaire; Functional recovery; Treatment; Partial; Evaluation scale; Technique
• ISSN: 0749-8063; 1526-3231
• DOI: 10.1053/jars.2000.4818

To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study using validated questionnaires to assess patient-relevant outcomes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Data from the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the SF-36 Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey, and the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale were available for 74 consecutive patients (50 males, 24 females; mean age, 45 years) with isolated meniscus tear (n = 47) or meniscus tear combined with cartilage damage (n = 27). At postoperative follow-up (mean, 14.4 weeks) significant improvement was seen, but despite only minor pain and other symptoms postoperatively, significant physical disability and handicap were reported. Postoperatively, 30% of patients were active in sports compared with 63% before injury. A sedentary lifestyle was reported by 38% compared with 9% before injury. We conclude that patient-relevant outcomes provide additional information and should be assessed after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. We further suggest that preoperative information for the meniscectomy patient should include a realistic expected functional outcome.
Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related surgery, Vol 16, No 6 (September), 2000: pp 619–626