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A meta-analysis of clinical and radiographic outcomes of posterior horn medial meniscus root repairs

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Although interest in medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) repair has increased, few case series have been reported. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the clinical and radiological effects of MMPRT repair by pooling pre- and post-operative data from case-series reports.

Methods

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE databases. Pre- and post-operative data were pooled to investigate the effects of MMPRT repair, including the Lysholm score improvement, meniscal extrusion (mm) reduction, progression of the Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grade, and cartilage status according to the Outerbridge classification. Treatment effects included paired standardized mean differences (difference in the pre- and post-operative mean outcomes divided by the standard deviation) for the Lysholm score and meniscal extrusion, as well as the pooled event rates of progression of K–L grade and cartilage status.

Results

As treatment effects, the Lysholm score increased by as much as 3.675 (P < 0.001), whereas meniscus extrusion was not reduced (n.s.). The overall pooled event rates of progression of K–L grade and cartilage status were 10.6 and 17.3 % (P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

According to the current literature, MMPRT repair resulted in significant improvements in the post-operative clinical subjective scores compared with the preoperative status. However, meniscus extrusion was not reduced. Considering the occurrence of progression of K–L grade and cartilage status, it did not prevent the progression of arthrosis completely. Based on these results, repair results in favourable outcomes for MMPRT.

Level of evidence

Meta-analysis, Level IV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, KEPCO Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

    Kyu Sung Chung

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medical Center and Sports Medical Research Institute, Seoul Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Korea

    Jeong Ku Ha

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gangneung Asan Hospital, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Gangneung, Korea

    Ho Jong Ra

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, KonKuk University Medical Center, 4-12 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea

    Jin Goo Kim

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  1. Kyu Sung Chung
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  2. Jeong Ku Ha
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  4. Jin Goo Kim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jin Goo Kim.

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Chung, K.S., Ha, J.K., Ra, H.J. et al. A meta-analysis of clinical and radiographic outcomes of posterior horn medial meniscus root repairs. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 24, 1455–1468 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3832-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3832-0

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