PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Susanne M Eijgenraam
AU  - Max Reijman
AU  - Sita M A Bierma-Zeinstra
AU  - Daan T van Yperen
AU  - Duncan E Meuffels
TI  - Can we predict the clinical outcome of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy? A systematic review
AID  - 10.1136/bjsports-2017-097836
DP  - 2018 Apr 01
TA  - British Journal of Sports Medicine
PG  - 514--521
VI  - 52
IP  - 8
4099  - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/8/514.short
4100  - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/8/514.full
SO  - Br J Sports Med2018 Apr 01; 52
AB  - NHS-Prospero registration number 42016048592Objective In order to make a more evidence-based selection of patients who would benefit the most from arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), knowledge of prognostic factors is essential. We conducted a systematic review of predictors for the clinical outcome following APM.Design Systematic reviewData sources Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PubMed Publisher, Google ScholarInclusion criteria Report an association between factor(s) and clinical outcome; validated questionnaire; follow-up >1 year.Exclusion criteria <20 subjects; anterior cruciate ligament-deficient patients; discoid menisci; meniscus repair, transplantation or implants; total or open meniscectomy.Methods One reviewer extracted the data, two reviewers assessed the risk of bias and performed a best-evidence synthesis.Results Finally, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. Moderate evidence was found, that the presence of radiological knee osteoarthritis at baseline and longer duration of symptoms (>1 year) are associated with worse clinical outcome following APM. In addition, resecting >50% of meniscal tissue and leaving a non-intact meniscal rim after meniscectomy are intra-articular predictive factors for worse clinical outcome. Moderate evidence was found that sex, onset of symptoms (acute or chronic), tear type or preoperative sport level are not predictors for clinical outcome. Conflicting evidence was found for the prognostic value of age, perioperative chondral damage, body mass index and leg alignment.Summary/conclusion Long duration of symptoms (>1 year), radiological knee osteoarthritis and resecting >50% of meniscus are associated with a worse clinical outcome following APM. These prognostic factors should be considered in clinical decision making for patients with meniscal tears.