[Functional status, patient satisfaction and quality of life in patients with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy]

This study aims to investigate the effects of clinical and demographic variables on functional status, patient satisfaction and quality of life following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.

Between January 2001 and December 2010, 98 patients (44 males, 54 females; mean age 52.1±12.5 years; range 18 to 88 years) who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in our clinic and were eligible for the study. Demographic and clinical data of patients and surgical characteristics were recorded. Preoperative activity levels of patients were measured. Severity of activity pain and patient satisfaction following surgery were evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Functional status was evaluated by Lysholm knee score and WOMAC (Osteoarthritis Index Western Ontario and McMaster Universities), while quality of life was evaluated by Short Form-36 (SF-36).

Postoperative mean time from surgery was 62.5±26.1 (8-120) months, GAS score at rest was 1.7±2.6 (0-10), GAS activity score was 3.4±3.3 (0-10) and GAS patient satisfaction score was 7.0±3.0 (0-10). It was found that 68 of the patients (69.4%) were evaluated themselves as excellent or better than preoperative period with a mean Lysholm knee score of 73.8±17.4 (24-95). Significant influences of body mass index and preoperative symptom duration on evaluation parameters were not detected. Male gender, less than five years after surgery, less intraoperative joint degeneration and moderate to severe activity level before the onset of symptoms had a positive influence on the severity of pain, patient satisfaction and functional status.

Our study provided critical data for optimal patient selection during the preoperative period to predict which patients may have better results in the mid-term follow-up after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.