Long-term outcome of meniscectomy: symptoms, function, and performance tests in patients with or without radiographic osteoarthritis compared to matched controls

Objective: To describe the long-term influence of meniscectomy on pain, fun ctional limitations, and muscular performance. To assess the effects of rad iographic osteoarthritis (OA), gender and age on these outcomes in patients with meniscectomy. Design: 159 subjects (35 women), mean age 53 years, were examined 19 (17-28 ) years after open meniscectomy. Self-reported symptoms and function were a ssessed, performance tests were carried out and radiographs were taken. Six ty-eight age- and gender-matched controls were examined likewise. The data was analysed in two steps. First, subjects with meniscectomy were compared to the controls, and subgroup analyses were carried out with regard to radi ographic OA, gender and age. Second, similar comparisons were carried out w ithin the meniscectomized group. Results: Meniscectomized subjects reported significantly (P<0.001) more sym ptoms and functional limitations than did controls. This was also true when operated subjects without OA were compared to controls without OA. Within the meniscectomized group, severe radiographic OA (joint space narrowing gr ade 2 or more) and female gender, but not older age, was associated with mo re symptoms and functional limitations. Meniscectomy was associated with wo rse muscular performance, Female gender and older age were associated with worse muscular performance in the study group. Conclusions: Meniscectomy is associated with long-term symptoms and functio nal limitations, especially in women. Patients who had developed severe rad iographic OA experienced more symptoms and functional limitations. Age did not influence self-reported outcomes, however older age was associated with worse muscular performance. (C) 2001 OsteoArthritis Research Society Inter national.