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Joint Diseases and
Related Surgery
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Original Article · Open access

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopic repair versus conservative management for medial meniscus posterior root tears: A comparative cohort study

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Yusuf Onur Kızılay

Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, VM Medical Park Bursa Hospital, Bursa, Türkiye Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Mudanya University, Bursa, Türkiye

ORCID: 0000-0001-8373-3426

İsmet Yalkın Çamurcu

Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, VM Medical Park Bursa Hospital, Bursa, Türkiye Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Mudanya University, Bursa, Türkiye

ORCID: 0000-0002-3900-5162

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopic repair versus conservative management in patients with medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs).

Patients and methods: Between January 2019 and December 2021, a total of 41 patients (9 males, 32 females; mean age: 49±12 years; range, 35 to 68 years) who underwent MMPRT repair and 123 patients (11 males, 112 females; mean age: 52±7 years; range, 26 to 74 years) who refused to undergo MMPRT repair and were managed conservatively were included in the study. Surgical candidates had neutral or mild varus alignment (≤5°), preserved joint space, and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) Grade 1-2 osteoarthritis. Baseline K-L grades, Lysholm Knee Scores (LKS), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were recorded.

Results: The mean follow-up was 32±11 (range, 24 to 60) months in the repair group and 28±6 (range, 24 to 48) months in the control group (p=0.025). Baseline LKS scores were similar between the groups (p=0.685), while IKDC scores were lower in the repair group (p=0.001). At final follow-up, the repair group showed higher LKS scores (78±19 vs. 65±32; p=0.021) and greater improvements in LKS (+46±25 vs. +36±38; p=0.046) and IKDC scores (+38±18 vs. +26±27; p=0.002). No repair patients progressed to K-L Grade 4, compared to 11% of controls (p=0.027). No repair patients required further surgery, whereas 20% of conservative patients did, including 7% undergoing arthroplasty.

Conclusion: Arthroscopic MMPRT repair yielded a more favorable functional improvement, no subsequent surgeries, and improved radiographic preservation compared to conservative management, supporting early surgical intervention in selected patients.

Declarations

Author Contributions

Idea/concept, design, analysis and/or Interpretation; Y.O.K., İ.Y.Ç.; Control/supervision, critical review; İ.Y.Ç.; Data collection and/or processing, literature review, writing the article, references and fundings, materials; Y.O.K.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Financial Disclosure

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.

Data Sharing Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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