Muscle strength, functional performance, and self-reported outcomes four years after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in middle-aged patients
✍ Scribed by Ericsson, Ylva B. ;Roos, Ewa M. ;Dahlberg, Leif
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2006
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 92 KB
- Volume
- 55
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0004-3591
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✦ Synopsis
Abstract
Objective
To examine thigh muscle strength, functional performance, and self‐reported outcome in patients with nontraumatic meniscus tears 4 years after operation, and to study the impact of a strength deficit on self‐reported outcome and evaluate the feasibility of 3 performance tests in this patient group.
Methods
The study group comprised 45 patients (36% women, mean age 46.7) who had an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy a mean of 4 years (range 1–6 years) previously. Main outcome measures included isokinetic strength of knee extensors and flexors, functional performance (1‐leg hop, 1‐leg rising, and square‐hop tests), and a self‐reported questionnaire (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score).
Results
We found lower knee extensor strength and worse 1‐leg rising capacity in the operated leg, but no difference between operated and nonoperated leg for knee flexors (P ≤ 0.004 and P > 0.3, respectively). Patients with a stronger quadriceps of the operated leg compared with the nonoperated leg had less pain and better function and quality of life (r = 0.4–0.6, P ≤ 0.010). We found the 1‐leg rising and 1‐leg hop tests to be suitable performance tests in middle‐aged meniscectomy patients.
Conclusion
Quadriceps strength is reduced in the meniscectomized leg compared with the nonoperated leg 4 years after surgery. This relative quadriceps weakness significantly affects objective and self‐reported knee function, pain, and quality of life, indicating the importance of restoring muscle function after meniscectomy in middle‐aged patients.