Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool Research Articles

Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy at 10 years follow up - A retrospective cohort study

Objectives: In recent times, the advent of newer meniscal repair systems and studies thereof seem to have implied that meniscectomy procedures should be abandoned or used only as a last resort procedure in most patients. This study was done to report the outcomes of partial meniscectomy done in indicated patients by a skilled arthroscopic surgeon at a long-term follow-up of 10 years. The indications and the appropriate strategy for performing this procedure are also described. Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) over one year were evaluated 10 years later for functional and clinical outcomes. Results: A retrospective case series of 100 consecutive patients was conducted to study the clinical outcome of APM after 10 years. Their mean age was 41.23 ± 7.81 years. 70% of the selected patients were male. Medial meniscus involvement was the most common (73%). At their 10-year follow-up, the majority of cases were asymptomatic (72%), with a mean international knee documentation committee score of 86.90 ± 5.51. Mean Tegner Lysholm Knee score was 90.05 ± 10.21, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index score was 8.83 ± 6.19, and the Western Ontario meniscal evaluation tool score was 85.54 ± 10.91. The subjective assessment after surgery was “excellent” in the majority of patients (48%). Conclusion: With proper patient selection and accurate decision-making, patients operated with APM for isolated meniscus tears can return to their daily routine activities and have good clinical and functional outcomes. The technique of performing arthroscopy and the skill set of the operating surgeon may perhaps also be an important criterion influencing the outcomes.

THE MENISCAL TEAR OUTCOME (METRO) STUDY: A PROSPECTIVE NATIONAL COHORT STUDY EXPLORING THE OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH A MENISCAL TEAR

AbstractIntroductionPrevious research has demonstrated no clinically significant benefit of arthroscopic meniscectomy in patients with a meniscal tear, however, patients included in these studies would not meet current treatment recommendations. Prior to further randomised controlled trials (RCTs) research is needed to understand a younger population in more detail.AimTo describe the baseline characteristics of patients with a meniscal tear and explore any association between baseline characteristics and outcome.MethodologyA prospective, national multicentre cohort study was performed recruiting patients aged 18 to 55 presenting to secondary care. MRI analysis of arthritis was performed using Whole Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) and bone shape analysis. Outcomes included the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS4) at 12 months.Results150 participants were recruited across eight sites with a mean age of 43.47 (SD 9.63). MRI analysis using WORMS score and bone shape analysis revealed no or early osteoarthritis. At 12 months, 67 (44.67%) of participants were managed non-operatively and 68 (45.33%) were operatively. Participants in the operative group were significantly younger with a lower BMI (p<0.05). A stepwise logistic regression model including 17 characteristics revealed that only baseline score and surgery significantly affected 12-month WOMET and KOOS4.ConclusionThis study in contrast to previous trials demonstrated a benefit of surgery for patients with a meniscal tear. The METRO study demonstrates that it is feasible to recruit younger patients and a future RCT is required using the study population included in this cohort.

Is osteophyte located in the inferior of the intermeniscal ligament an indication for the surgical treatment of degenerative meniscal tear?

Objectives: Our study aimed to determine how often the osteophyte located underneath the anterior intermeniscal ligament is observed in patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery due to degenerative meniscal tears, how often this osteophyte can be diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging, and whether this osteophyte could be an indication for the surgery to be performed for degenerative meniscopathy. Methods: Our retrospective study included 47 patients operated for degenerative meniscus tears between 2017 and 2018, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Visual analog scale (VAS), Lysholm knee, and Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) scores were applied to all patients included in the study preoperatively and at the postoperative 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 24th months. The operated patients were grouped into two groups with and without osteophytes beneath the anterior intermeniscal ligament in magnetic resonance imaging (Group A and B). Preoperative and postoperative values of the patients were compared among themselves. Results: The average age of the patients included in our study was 57 (range: 42 to 72) years. Forty (85%) participants were female. Osteophyte was detected in 36.1% (n = 17) of the patients in preoperative magnetic resonance imagings (Group-A). There was a statistically significant difference between preoperative VAS, Lysholm, and WOMET scores and postoperative 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 24th months (p < 0.05). Mean follow-up time was 32 (range: 24 to 60) months. Conclusions: We believe that arthroscopic control of the inferior intermeniscal ligament for the presence of any osteophytes in patients treated surgically for degenerative meniscal tears is one of the main steps of this surgery.

Effect of exercise therapy versus surgery on mechanical symptoms in young patients with a meniscal tear: a secondary analysis of the DREAM trial

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of early surgery versus exercise and education on mechanical symptoms and other patient-reported outcomes in patients aged 18–40 years with a meniscal tear and self-reported mechanical...

Effectiveness of Rehabilitation for Knee Osteoarthritis Associated With Isolated Meniscus Injury: A Scoping Review.

Meniscus tear is the most common type of injury to the meniscus and occurs more frequently on the medial compartments than the lateral compartments. Further, it is often caused by trauma or degenerative processes and can occur anywhere on either the meniscus, anterior horn, posterior horn, or midbody. Treatment of meniscus injuries is likely to greatly impact the evolution of osteoarthritis (OA) as meniscus injuries can gradually progress to knee OA. Hence, treatment of these injuries is important for managing the progression of OA. While the types of meniscus injuries and symptoms have been reported previously, the effectiveness of rehabilitation according to the degree of meniscus injury (e.g., vertical, longitudinal, radial, and posterior horn tears) remains unknown. In this review, we aimed to investigate whether rehabilitation for knee OA associated with isolated meniscus injuries varies with the degree of injury and determine the effects of rehabilitation on outcomes. We searched PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database for studies published before September 2021. Studies on ≥40-year-old patients with knee OA and isolated meniscus injury were included for analysis. The types of meniscus injury were classified as longitudinal, radial, transverse, flap, combined, or avulsion of the anterior and posterior roots of the medial meniscus, and assigned knee arthropathy grades of 0-4 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. The exclusion criteria were meniscus injury, combined meniscus and ligament injury, and knee OA associated with combined injury in patients <40 years of age. There were no restrictions on the region, race, or gender of participants, or language or research format of the studies. The outcome measures were the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Score, Visual Analog Scale or Numeric Rating Scale, Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool, International Knee Documentation Committee Score, Lysholm Score, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, one-leg hop test, timed up and go test, and re-injury and muscle strength. A total of 16 reports met these criteria. In studies that did not classify or distinguish degrees of meniscus injury, the effects of rehabilitation were generally favorable in the medium-to-long term. In cases where the intervention was not sufficiently effective, patients were recommended either arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or total knee replacement. Studies on medial meniscus posterior root tear did not confirm the effectiveness of rehabilitation due to the short intervention period. Further, Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score cut-offs, clinically important differences in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and minimum important changes in patient-specific functional scales were reported. Of the 16 studies reported in this review, nine met the definition. This scoping review has a few limitations such as the effect of rehabilitation alone could not be examined, and the intervention effectiveness differed at short-term follow-up. In conclusion, there was a gap in evidence regarding the rehabilitation of knee OA after isolated meniscus injury due to differences in intervention duration and methods. In addition, on short-term follow-up, intervention effects varied across studies.

Evaluation of Force Sense, Functional Performance, Quality of Life, Activity Level and Kinesiophobia in Degenerative Meniscal Tears Following Partial Meniscectomy

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare functional performance, force sense of knee joint, kinesiophobia, quality of life, and activity level between patients with partial meniscectomy and healthy people.&#x0D; Methods: Twenty patients with partial meniscectomy within six months to three years postoperatively and 20 healthy were included in this study. Maximal voluntary isometric muscle strength of Quadriceps femoris muscle and force sense with the biofeedback device, quality of life with Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool, functional performance with stair up/down test, physical function with Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical Function Short Form, activity level with Tegner Activity Level scale, kinesiophobia was evaluated with Brief Fear of Movement Scale.&#x0D; Results: Range of motion, maximal voluntary isometric muscle strength of M. Quadriceps femoris, and force sense decreased in the operated leg compared with the non-operated leg (p

Early Postoperative CT Scan Provides Prognostic Data on Clinical Outcomes of Fresh Osteochondral Transplantation of the Knee

Background: There is a lack of information regarding the ability of imaging studies to predict clinical outcomes after fresh osteochondral allograft (FOCA) transplantation of the knee. Purpose: To determine the value of computed tomography (CT) scans to predict the clinical outcome of FOCA transplantation using the assessment computed tomography osteochondral allograft (ACTOCA) score. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We prospectively collected data from all consecutive patients who underwent FOCA transplantation for osteochondral knee lesions at one institution between August 2017 and August 2019. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. CT scans performed 6 months after surgery were evaluated by a musculoskeletal radiologist using the ACTOCA scoring system. The radiologist was blinded to the patient’s medical history. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at 12 and 30 months postoperatively using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Kujala score, the Tegner activity scale, and the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) score. Results: A total of 38 cases were included. The ACTOCA score at 6 months after surgery showed a statistically significant correlation with clinical results at 12 and 30 months. The correlation was better at 30 months, showing a high negative correlation with the IKDC score (−0.663) and a moderate negative correlation with the Kujala, WOMET, and Tegner scores (−0.593; −0.547, and −0.593, respectively) (P < .001). Conclusion: A statistically significant correlation between the mean ACTOCA score on CT scans at 6 months and the clinical results measured by the IKDC, Kujala, WOMET, and Tegner scores at 30 months confirmed the predictive value of the ACTOCA score for use in clinical practice.

Computerized tomography scan evaluation after fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation of the knee correlates with clinical outcomes

PurposeTo determine the correlation between the assessment computed tomography osteochondral allograft (ACTOCA) scoring system and clinical outcomes scores. The hypothesis was that the ACTOCA score would show sufficient correlation to support its use in clinical practice.MethodsWe prospectively collected data from all consecutive patients who underwent cartilage restitution with fresh osteochondral allograft (FOCA) transplantation for osteochondral lesions of the knee and had a minimum follow-up of two years. CT scans were performed at three, six and 24 months post-operatively. A musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to the patients’ medical history evaluated the scans using the ACTOCA scoring system. Clinical outcomes collected preoperatively and at three, six and 24 months postoperatively were evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Kujala, the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET), and the Tegner Activity Scale.ResultsThe mean total ACTOCA score showed a statistically significant correlation with the clinical outcome. The correlation was optimal at 24 months. We found a high negative correlation with the IKDC, Kujala and Tegner (− 0.737; − 0.757, and − 0.781 respectively), and a moderate negative correlation with WOMET (− 0.566) (p < 0.001). IKDC, Kujala, WOMET, and Tegner scores showed a significant continuous improvement in all scores (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe mean total ACTOCA score showed a linear correlation with clinical results in IKDC, Kujala, WOMET, and Tegner scores, being the highest at 24 months post-surgery. This finding supports the use of ACTOCA to standardize CT scan reports following fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation in the knee.

The translated Danish version of the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) is reliable and responsive.

The purpose of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) for use in Denmark and evaluate its test-retest reliability and comparative responsiveness. Sixty patients (mean age 50years (range 19-71years), females 57%) with meniscal injury scheduled for arthroscopic meniscal surgery at a small Danish hospital in the period from September 2017 to February 2018 were included in this study. The WOMET was translated into Danish using forward and backward translation. The WOMET was completed at baseline (pre-surgery), at 3 and 6months postoperatively. Additionally, reliability was assessed at 3months and 3months plus 1week, for patients with a stable symptom state (global response question) between test and retest. Comparative responsiveness was assessed between the WOMET and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS4-aggregate score of 4 of the 5 KOOS subscales). The Danish version of WOMET showed excellent test-retest reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.92) for the total score. The standard error of measurement was 125 points and the minimal detectable change was 347 points (i.e. 8% and 22% of the total score, respectively). The WOMET was responsive with an effect size (ES) of 1.12 at 6months after surgery, which was comparable to the KOOS4 (ES 1.10). The Danish version of the WOMET is a reliable and responsive measure of health-related quality of life in patients with meniscal pathology. Level II.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Greek version of the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET)

Background The Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) is a questionnaire designed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with meniscal pathology. The purpose of this study is to culturally adapt and validate the WOMET into Greek using the COSMIN checklist. Materials and Methods One-hundred three patients (40 females, 63 males; mean age: 42.9 ± 18.5) with meniscal pathology were recruited in this study. The test-retest reliability of the WOMET was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) while the internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s α. The concurrent validity was assessed by evaluating the correlation among the WOMET and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) while construct validity was assessed with Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Results The ICC for the overall WOMET score was 0.91 while the Cronbach’s α was 0.96. WOMET was moderately to strongly correlated with the domains of the KOOS with the strongest correlation being between WOMET and Quality of Life domain (r = 0.81). EFA provided support for a two factor solution explaining the 66.2% of the total variability. Conclusions The Greek version of WOMET is considered a valid tool for measuring the HRQoL of Greek speaking patients with meniscal pathology.

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for a degenerative meniscus tear: a 5 year follow-up of the placebo-surgery controlled FIDELITY (Finnish Degenerative Meniscus Lesion Study) trial

ObjectivesTo assess the long-term effects of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) on the development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis, and on knee symptoms and function, at 5 years follow-up.DesignMulticentre, randomised, participant- and...

Meniscal tear outcome Study (METRO Study): a study protocol for a multicentre prospective cohort study exploring the factors which affect outcomes in patients with a meniscal tear

IntroductionThis study is designed to explore the baseline characteristics of patients under 55 years of age with a meniscal tear, and to describe the relationship between the baseline characteristics and...

Polyurethane Meniscal Scaffold: Does Preoperative Remnant Meniscal Extrusion Have an Influence on Postoperative Extrusion and Knee Function?

Meniscal extrusion (ME) has been identified as a risk factor in the development of knee osteoarthritis. The relevance of this finding when a meniscal scaffold is used has not been extensively studied. The objective of this study was to determine whether preoperative meniscal remnant extrusion (MRE) was correlated with postoperative scaffold extrusion (SE) or with functional outcomes at the 2-year follow-up. Retrospective study included all polyurethane scaffolds implanted with a minimum 2-year follow-up. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 years. Extrusion was measured in millimeters in a coronal view. Patients were assigned to either group 1 or 2 depending on the preoperative MRE being either <3 mm (minor extrusion) or 3 mm (major extrusion). Functional outcomes were analyzed by means of the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET), International Knee Documentation Committee, Kujala and Tegner scores, as well as visual analog scale. Satisfaction was also documented. Sixty-two out of 98 patients were available to undergo an MRI at final follow-up. The mean age was 41.3 years (range, 17-58) and the mean follow-up was 45 months (range, 25-69). The mean preoperative MRE was 2.8 mm (standard deviation [SD] 1.2) and the mean postoperative SE was 3.8 mm (SD 1.8) (p < 0.01). All functional scores improved during the study period. When the correlation (Spearman's rho) between the difference in extrusion between the pre 26 and postoperative periods and their correlation with the different scores was assessed, correlation was only observed in the WOMET (rho 0.61, p = 0.02). The preoperative MRE in Group 1 was 1.85 mm (SD 0.83) and 3.7 mm (SD 2.2) in Group 2 (p < 0.01). At final follow-up, SE was 3.86 mm (SD 0.7) in Group 1, whereas it was 3.98 mm (SD 1) in Group 2 (p = 0.81). No differences were observed in the scores used for these two groups. The SE observed at the 2-year follow-up after the implantation of a polyurethane scaffold did not depend on preoperative MRE (major or minor extrusion). The WOMET score, which was the only meniscal-specific functional scored used, showed some inferior results in the most extruded meniscal scaffolds. This is a retrospective case series. Level of evidence is 4.

Statistical validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) according to the COSMIN checklist

BackgroundThe Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) is the only questionnaire available to assess quality of life in patients with isolated meniscal injuries. The aims of this study were to prepare the Persian version of the WOMET (PWOMET) and validate it in Iranian patients with isolated meniscal tears.MethodsIn the first stage, the English version of WOMET was translated into Persian. Content validity, and qualitative and quantitative (impact score) face validity were tested by specialists and in a sample of 30 patients. In the second stage, PWOMET was assessed for the evaluation of psychometric properties in 100 patients with isolated meniscal injury and 50 healthy people based on the COSMIN checklist. Construct validity was tested based on structural validity (factor analysis) and hypothesis testing. Correlation with the total scores on the SF-36, IKDC and KOOS were used for concurrent criterion validity. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. In addition the standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable change were calculated. Interpretability was investigated as the ceiling and floor effects and minimal important difference.ResultsThe PWOMET had acceptable qualitative face validity and content validity. The impact score (quantitative face validity) was more than 1.5 for all items. For construct validity, structural validity (factor analysis) and hypothesis testing ability were confirmed. Correlations between the PWOMET total score and IKDC, SF-36, KOOS scores were 0.61, 0.54 and 0.63, respectively (p < 0.001), thus confirming concurrent criterion validity. The intraclass correlation coefficient, Cronbach’s alpha, SEM and smallest detectable change for the PWOMET were 0.73, 0.89, 9.43 and 26.13, respectively. The PWOMET had no ceiling or floor effects, and minimal important difference was 9.07.ConclusionThe PWOMET provides valid and reliable scores for assessment of the quality of life in patients with isolated meniscal injury.

Determining the Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State for Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy in the Knee

Background: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is one of the most common procedures in orthopaedic surgery. The patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS), which defines a level of symptoms above which patients consider themselves well, remains to be well-defined in this population. Purpose: Using an anchor-based approach, our goal was to determine the 1-year PASS for the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET), and the Marx Activity Scale (MAS) in patients who were treated with partial knee meniscectomy. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A consecutive series of patients with knee meniscal tears and a Kellgren-Lawrence grade of 0 to 2 treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy were eligible. The KOOS (0-100), IKDC (0-100), WOMET (0-100), and MAS (0-16) were administered at baseline and 12 months postoperatively. An external anchor question at 1 year postoperatively was used to determine PASS values. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to determine the PASS value at which patients considered their status to be satisfactory. Results: The study included 110 patients (mean ± SD age, 53.8 ± 12.0 years), 57.3% were male, and the follow-up rate was 82%. In total, 70% of patients had an Outerbridge arthroscopic grade of 2 or lower. Based on ROC analysis, the 1-year postoperative PASS values (sensitivity, specificity) were 64.3 (47.8, 100.0) for KOOS Symptoms, 81.6 (71.6, 100.0) for KOOS Pain, 82.4 (82.1, 86.4) for KOOS Function in Daily Living, 71.0 (62.7, 81.8) for KOOS Function in Sport and Recreation, 51.0 (83.6, 95.5) for KOOS Knee-Related Quality of Life, 56.2 (82.1, 100.0) for IKDC, 58.5 (79.1, 100.0) for WOMET, and 7.0 (44.8, 68.2) for MAS. Baseline scores did not affect the PASS threshold across the different instruments. However, patients with higher baseline scores were more likely to achieve the PASS for the KOOS Symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 2.808; P = .047), IKDC (OR, 4.735; P = .006), and WOMET (OR, 2.985; P = .036). Age, sex, and cartilage status were not significantly related to the odds of achieving the PASS for any of the patient-reported outcome measures. Conclusion: These findings allow researchers and clinicians to determine whether partial meniscectomy is meaningful to patients at the individual level and will be helpful for responder analysis in future trials related to the treatment of meniscal abnormality.

Chondral lesions at the medial femoral condyle, meniscal degeneration, anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency, and lateral meniscal tears impair the middle-term results after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.

The aim of the present study was to analyse which clinical, radiological and arthroscopic findings are able to predict the postoperative outcome after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Furthermore, the present study aimed to investigate the postoperative outcome after partial meniscectomy in patients with degenerative meniscal lesions. A total of 91 patients with a follow-up period of 34.7 ± 11.4months after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy were included in this retrospective study. Clinical, radiological, and arthroscopic data were analysed at the time of follow-up. The multivariable linear regression analysis for postoperative outcome, based on the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET), included age, gender, body mass index, physical activity, presence of cartilage lesions, leg alignment, grade of radiographic osteoarthritis, location of meniscal lesions, meniscal extrusion, meniscal degeneration, presence of an anterior cruciate ligament tears as well as bone marrow lesions. WOMET and WOMAC scores showed a significant improvement of 45.0 ± 48.1 points (CI 34.9-55.1; p ≤ 0.0001) and 75.1 ± 69.3 points (CI 60.6-89.6; p = 0.001) within the follow-up period. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that poor preoperative WOMET scores (p = 0.001), presence of cartilage lesions at the medial femoral condylus (p = 0.001), meniscal degeneration (p = 0.008), the presence of an anterior cruciate ligament lesion (p = 0.005), and lateral meniscal tears (p = 0.039) were associated with worse postoperative outcomes. Patients with femoral bone marrow lesions had better outcome (p = 0.038). Poor preoperative WOMET scores, presence of cartilage lesions at the medial femoral condylus, meniscal degeneration, concomitant anterior cruciate ligament lesions as well as lateral meniscal tears are correlated with worse postoperative outcomes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Patients with femoral bone marrow lesions femoral are more likely to gain benefit from arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in the middle term. Despite justified recent restrictions in indication, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy seems to effectively reduce pain and alleviate symptoms in carefully selected patients with degenerative meniscal tears. III.

Evaluation of the Early Functional Outcome Following Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy for Meniscal Tears

Meniscal tears are among the common knee pathologies which affect activities of daily living if not managed properly. Arthroscopic knee surgery is an evolving procedure in our environment and patient satisfaction with this procedure needs to be evaluated. This was a prospective study carried out between June 2017 and May 2018 with the aim to determine the effectiveness of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy in the management of meniscal tears in our environment. The Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) Knee Score was used to assess patient satisfaction with this procedure. A total of thirty-one patients were recruited into the study consisting of eighteen males and thirteen females with an average age of thirteen years (17 - 48 years) who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Preoperative and postoperative knee scores at 6 weeks and 12 weeks were compared using the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool. At the end of the study period, data collated were analyzed using the specified tools. In terms of clinical outcomes, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy showed statistically significant improvement of symptoms as evidenced by a mean knee score of 75.6 (SD 9.3) at 6 weeks, 87.7 (SD 4.7) at 12 weeks compared with a preoperative knee score of 46.7. Medial meniscal tears were more common than lateral meniscal tears in all age groups and both sexes recruited into the study. The most common type of meniscal tear seen was the longitudinal type of tear while complex tear is the least type of tear seen. The surgery (arthroscopic partial meniscectomy) is an evolving area of sports medicine that requires sub-specialization, however solves the problem of increased mobility following open surgery. This study will tend to add to existing knowledge as patients who are mostly sports inclined can return to play very early with better outcome scores as regards pain and function.

Comparison of 3 Knee-Specific Quality-of-Life Instruments for Patients With Meniscal Tears.

Background:Meniscal tears are a common cause of knee pain and disability. The objective measurement of the health-related quality of life of patients with meniscal tears plays a key role in clinical evaluation and therapeutic decision making. Several evaluation tools have been used to measure the effects of meniscal tears on knee function and quality of life. However, most of these tools are nonspecific for meniscal pathology.Purpose/Hypothesis:The purpose of the present study was to compare the capability of 3 commonly used knee assessment tools to measure the impact of meniscal tears on knee function and quality of life: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET). Our null hypothesis was that no difference would exist among the 3 assessment tools.Study Design:Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A total of 207 consecutive patients (mean ± SD: age, 52.6 ± 14.3 years) with arthroscopically confirmed meniscal tear were included. Preoperatively, 3 knee function and quality-of-life scores were obtained: KOOS, WOMAC, and WOMET. The relative outcome scores of the questionnaires were compared postoperatively.Results:The sum scores (relative scores) were as follows: 234.2 ± 92.5 (55.7%) for the KOOS, 132.6 ± 54.3 (55.5%) for the WOMAC, and 113 ± 30.8 (71%) for the WOMET. The relative score results for the WOMET were significantly higher than those for the WOMAC and the KOOS (both P < .01), while no significant difference was found between the WOMAC and the KOOS (P = .735).Conclusion:A greater impact on health-related quality of life for patients with meniscal tears can be measured with the WOMET when compared with the WOMAC and the KOOS. Therefore, using the WOMET can be recommended for the evaluation of knee function and quality-of-life impairment of patients with meniscal tears.

Patient-reported outcome measures for patients with meniscal tears: a systematic review of measurement properties and evaluation with the COSMIN checklist

ObjectiveMeniscal tears occur frequently in the population and the most common surgical treatment, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, is performed in approximately two million cases worldwide each year. The purpose of this...

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus placebo surgery for a degenerative meniscus tear: a 2-year follow-up of the randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveTo assess if arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is superior to placebo surgery in the treatment of patients with degenerative tear of the medial meniscus.MethodsIn this multicentre, randomised, participant-blinded and outcome...