Factors influencing postoperative outcomes in patients with symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus

Due to its abnormal morphology and ultrastructure, discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) is prone to tear and degeneration, leading to clinical symptoms. Arthroscopy is the main treatment for symptomatic DLM; however, postoperative outcomes vary widely due to the effects of diverse factors. This research aims to explore the factors influencing postoperative outcomes of symptomatic DLM.

Patients with DLM who underwent arthroscopic surgery at our hospital from 9/2008 to 9/2015 were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fourteen variables, including sex, body mass index (BMI) and other variables, were chosen as factors for study. Knee function was assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Univariate analyses (Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskall-Wallis rank sum test) and multivariate analyses (ordinal logistic regression) were used to identify the factors that influenced postoperative outcomes. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

A total of 502 patients, including 353 females (70.3%) and 149 males (29.7%), were enrolled. The median IKDC score postoperatively (87.4; range, 41.4 ~ 97.7; IQR, 14.6) was higher than that preoperatively (57.6; range, 26.9 ~ 64.9; IQR, 9.7) (P < 0.001). Male sex was predictive of a higher IKDC score (P = 0.023, OR = 1.702). Compared with BMI ≥25 kg/m², < 18.5 kg/m² was associated with better IKDC score (P = 0.026, OR = 3.016). Contrasting with age of onset ≥45 years, ≤14 years (P < 0.001, OR = 20.780) and 14 ~ 25 years (P < 0.001, OR = 8.516) were associated with better IKDC score. In comparison with symptoms duration> 24 months, IKDC scores for patients with symptoms duration ≤1 month (P = 0.001, OR = 3.511), 1 ~ 6 months (P < 0.001, OR = 3.463) and 6 ~ 24 months (P < 0.001, OR = 3.254) were significantly elevated. Compared to Outerbridge grade III ~ IV, no injury (P < 0.001, OR = 6.379) and grade I (P = 0.01, OR = 4.332) were associated with higher IKDC score.

Arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic DLM is safe and effective, but its clinical efficacy is affected by many factors. Specifically, male sex, BMI < 18.5 kg/m², age of onset < 25 years (especially < 14 years) and symptoms duration < 24 months are conducive to good postoperative outcomes. However, combined articular cartilage injury (Outbridge grade ≥ 2) reduces postoperative effect.