Knee Arthroscopic Surgery in Middle-Aged Patients With Meniscal Symptoms: A 5-Year Follow-up of a Prospective, Randomized Study

Abstract

Background: Arthroscopic meniscal surgery is a common orthopaedic procedure in middle-aged patients, but the efficacy of this procedure has been questioned. In this study, we followed up the only randomized controlled trial that has shown a 1-year benefit from knee arthroscopic surgery with an exercise program compared with an exercise program alone. Purpose: To (1) evaluate whether knee arthroscopic surgery combined with an exercise program provided an additional 5-year benefit compared with an exercise program alone in middle-aged patients with meniscal symptoms, (2) determine whether baseline mechanical symptoms affected the outcome, and (3) compare radiographic changes between treatment groups. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Of 179 eligible patients aged 45 to 64 years, 150 were randomized to either a 3-month exercise program (nonsurgery group) or to the same exercise program plus knee arthroscopic surgery (surgery group) within 4 weeks. Radiographs were assessed, according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grade, at baseline and at the 5-year follow-up. The primary outcome was the change in Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)–Pain (KOOSPAIN) subscore from baseline to the 5-year follow-up. We performed an as-treated analysis. Results: A total of 102 patients completed the 5-year questionnaire. At the 5-year follow-up, both groups had significant improvement in KOOSPAIN subscores, although there was no significant change from the 3-year scores. There was no between-group difference in the change in the KOOSPAIN subscore from baseline to 5 years (3.2 points [95% CI, –6.1 to 12.4]; adjusted P =.403). In the surgery group, improvement was greater in patients without mechanical symptoms than in those with mechanical symptoms (mean difference, 18.4 points [95% CI, 8.7 to 28.1]; P