A Study on the Development of Degenerative Osteoarthritis after Arthroscopic Total Menisectomy

Purpose: This study compared the clinical and radiological incidence of osteoarthritis after a total meni- scectomy. Materials and Methods: Seventy eight patients, who underwent a total meniscectomy, were evaluated after a minimum follow up of five years. The operations were a medial meniscectomy (group I) in 16 cases, a lateral meniscectomy (group II) in 17 cases, a discoid meniscus (group III) in 29 cases and medial meniscectomy with an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (group IV) in 16 cases. The de- velopment of degenerative osteoarthritis was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meyer survivorship. Results: At postoperative 5 years and 7 years, degenerative osteoarthritis developed in 17% and 36% of patients, respectively. The incidence ofdegenerative osteoarthritis at postoperative 5 years and 7 years in groups I, II, III and IV was 9% and 18%, 14% and 29%, 25% and 46%, and 28% and 55%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: The meniscus deficient knee joint which varies according to the patterns of a meniscal injury, had a higher incidence of degenerative osteoarthritis. Careful attention should be paid to the treatment of meniscal tears.

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