Clinical Effect of Arthroscopic Resection of Extra-Articular Knee Osteochondroma

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes of arthroscopic resection of extraarticular knee osteochondroma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 74 patients with extra-articular knee osteochondroma treated by arthroscopic resection between August 2011 and August 2021, including 43 males and 31 females. Overall, 26 Distal femur cases and 48 proximal tibia cases were involved, with an average age of 31.7 ± 11.3 (11−57) years. Preoperative routine knee X-ray, CT, and MRI were performed before the operation. The Lysholm knee score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner knee motor function score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate symptoms and functions before surgery and 3, 6, 12, and ≥24 months after surgery. Results: The average course of disease was (7.9 ± 3.7) months (range, 3−14 months) in 74 patients. The average follow-up was (22.6 ± 6.4) months (range, 10−37 months). There were no cases of vascular or nerve injury or wound infection. Compared with the preoperative function, the average scores of VAS, Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner joint motor function decreased or increased significantly compared with the last follow-up (3.6 ± 1.1 vs. 0.1 ± 0.02, 44.5 ± 2.3 vs. 91.3 ± 4.9, 53.7 ± 2.6 vs. 94.2 ± 5.1, 4.6 ± 1.2 vs. 9.4 ± 1.4, p < 0.001). There was no recurrence or metastasis during the follow up. Conclusions: With the advantages of less trauma, high precision, less pain, and rapid recovery, arthroscopic resection of extra-articular knee osteochondroma can significantly improve the function of knee. It can be gradually extended to the treatment of other benign bone tumors.