Patient-reported outcome after arthroscopic surgery of the knee in middle-age patients. : – a retrospective study

Introduction: Arthroscopic partial resection of degenerative meniscal injuries has previously been frequently performed but has been questioned in recent years. However, contradictory data exist. Aim: We aimed to asses patient- reported outcome in patients over 40 years of age after arthroscopic surgery due to degenerative meniscal injury. We further aimed to compare women and men due to diagnosis and to examine the number of patients that have needed knee arthroplasty during the follow-up period. Methods: Patients > 40 years of age who underwent arthroscopic surgery of the knee in the years of 2011-2013 were studied using validated questionnaire KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) along with a self-constructed questionnaire. Results: In all subjects, the highest median score was seen in all daily living (Women:93, Men: 96) and knee pain (Women: 86, Men: 92). The lowest score was seen in sports and recreation (Women: 55, Men: 65). Men had an overall higher KOOS-score in every subscale compared to women (p>0.05). No significant difference was seen between women and men divided by diagnosis (p>0.05). 72% women and 80% men experienced improved knee function today compared to before surgery. 22% women and 14% men experienced deterioration in knee function. 6% women and men experienced unaltered knee function. 24 patients (9.5%) had got a knee arthroplasty. Conclusions: This study showed that most middle-age patients experienced increased knee function and high satisfaction rate after partial meniscectomy when suffering from degenerative meniscal injury