Our Summary

This research paper is a review of several studies to compare the long-term outcomes of a specific knee surgery called arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM). This procedure is usually done for two reasons: traumatic tears in the knee (TT) or degenerative lesions (DL), which are wear-and-tear damages that occur over time.

The researchers searched three major databases for relevant studies published between 2010 and 2023. They only included studies in English that reported either x-ray or clinical results and followed up with patients for at least six years after their APM surgery.

They found 32 studies that fit their criteria. Eleven of these studies focused on patients who had the surgery due to a traumatic tear. They found that, on average, these patients were around 31.5 years old at the time of their surgery and were followed up for about 11.6 years. By the end of that follow-up period, between 36% and 76% of these patients developed osteoarthritis (OA), a type of joint disease, with an average rate of 48%. However, their functional scores, which measure how well their knees were working, were generally high.

Twenty-one studies focused on patients who had the surgery due to degenerative lesions. These patients were older, with an average age of about 49.9 years at the time of surgery, and were followed up for about 14.9 years. By the end of that follow-up period, between 23% and 97% of these patients developed OA, with an average rate of 77%. Their functional scores were generally lower than the traumatic tear group.

In conclusion, the study found that people who had APM surgery due to a traumatic tear generally had better long-term outcomes and lower rates of OA compared to those who had the surgery due to degenerative lesions.

FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of conducting an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM)?
  2. How do the long-term outcomes of APM surgery differ between patients with traumatic tears and those with degenerative lesions?
  3. What were the general findings of the studies reviewed regarding the development of osteoarthritis (OA) in patients after their APM surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about meniscectomy is to follow a structured rehabilitation program after surgery to help strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve flexibility. This can help improve overall knee function and reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the long term. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding activities that put excessive strain on the knee joint can also help improve outcomes after meniscectomy surgery.

Suitable For

Therefore, patients who are typically recommended for meniscectomy are those with traumatic tears in the knee, especially younger patients around 31.5 years old, as they tend to have better long-term outcomes and lower rates of developing osteoarthritis. Patients with degenerative lesions, who are older with an average age of about 49.9 years, may also be recommended for meniscectomy, but they tend to have higher rates of developing osteoarthritis and may have poorer functional scores compared to those with traumatic tears.

Timeline

Before meniscectomy:

  • Patient experiences knee pain, swelling, and limited range of motion
  • Patient undergoes physical examination, imaging tests (such as MRI), and possibly arthroscopy to diagnose the meniscal tear
  • Patient may undergo conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, and medication before deciding on surgery
  • Surgery is scheduled, and patient receives pre-operative instructions

After meniscectomy:

  • Patient undergoes arthroscopic partial meniscectomy surgery
  • Post-operative recovery period includes pain management, physical therapy, and activity modification
  • Patient gradually resumes daily activities and physical exercise
  • Follow-up appointments with the surgeon to monitor healing and progress
  • Long-term outcomes may include development of osteoarthritis and changes in functional scores

Overall, the timeline for a patient before and after meniscectomy involves diagnosis, surgery, recovery, and long-term monitoring of outcomes.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Questions a patient should ask their doctor about meniscectomy based on this research paper:

  1. What are the potential long-term outcomes of having arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) for a traumatic tear versus degenerative lesions?
  2. What is the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis (OA) after APM surgery for each type of injury?
  3. How does age at the time of surgery impact the outcomes of APM for traumatic tears versus degenerative lesions?
  4. What are the average functional scores for patients who had APM surgery for traumatic tears versus degenerative lesions?
  5. Are there any specific risk factors that may affect the long-term outcomes of APM surgery for either type of injury?
  6. How long should I expect to be followed up after APM surgery to monitor for potential complications or development of OA?
  7. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider for my specific case, based on the findings of this research paper?
  8. Will I need any additional interventions or therapies to help manage any potential long-term complications after APM surgery?
  9. How can I best prepare myself for the recovery process after APM surgery, given the potential long-term outcomes identified in this research paper?
  10. Are there any lifestyle changes or modifications I should consider making to help improve the long-term success of APM surgery for my specific injury type?

Reference

Authors: Bogas Droy H, Dardenne T, Djebara A, Pujol N. Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2025 Jan;33(1):107-123. doi: 10.1002/ksa.12329. Epub 2024 Jun 21. PMID: 39031666