Can we predict the clinical outcome of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy? A systematic review
One page on PainSci cites Eijgenraam 2018: Knee Debridement is a Completely Ineffective Procedure
PainSci notes on Eijgenraam 2018:
This review found that patients who get meniscectomy have worse outcomes if more than half the meniscus is removed, if they have had knee pain for longer (more than year), and if they already have radiological signs of osteoarthritis.
original abstract †Abstracts here may not perfectly match originals, for a variety of technical and practical reasons. Some abstacts are truncated for my purposes here, if they are particularly long-winded and unhelpful. I occasionally add clarifying notes. And I make some minor corrections.
OBJECTIVE: In order to make a more evidence-based selection of patients who would benefit the most from arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), knowledge of prognostic factors is essential. We conducted a systematic review of predictors for the clinical outcome following APM.
DESIGN: Systematic review
DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PubMed Publisher, Google Scholar.
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Report an association between factor(s) and clinical outcome; validated questionnaire; follow-up>1 year.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: <20 subjects; anterior cruciate ligament-deficient patients; discoid menisci; meniscus repair, transplantation or implants; total or open meniscectomy.
METHODS: One reviewer extracted the data, two reviewers assessed the risk of bias and performed a best-evidence synthesis.
RESULTS: Finally, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. Moderate evidence was found, that the presence of radiological knee osteoarthritis at baseline and longer duration of symptoms >1year) are associated with worse clinical outcome following APM. In addition, resecting>50% of meniscal tissue and leaving a non-intact meniscal rim after meniscectomy are intra-articular predictive factors for worse clinical outcome. Moderate evidence was found that sex, onset of symptoms (acute or chronic), tear type or preoperative sport level are not predictors for clinical outcome. Conflicting evidence was found for the prognostic value of age, perioperative chondral damage, body mass index and leg alignment.
related content
- “Exercise therapy versus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for degenerative meniscal tear in middle aged patients: randomised controlled trial with two year follow-up,” Kise et al, British Medical Journal, 2016.
- “Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus sham surgery for a degenerative meniscal tear,” Sihvonen et al, New England Journal of Medicine, 2013.
- “A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Meniscectomy,” Salata et al, American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2010.
- “The Right to Know That an Operation Is ‘Next to Useless’,” Gina Kolata, www.nytimes.com.
- “Mechanical Symptoms and Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy in Patients With Degenerative Meniscus Tear: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial,” Sihvonen et al, Annals of Internal Medicine, 2016.
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