Table 7: Overview of Non-Randomized Controlled Trials Included in Review.
| Study, Follow-Up Period | Subjects | Surgery | Results | Conclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krystallis et al., 2004 (14) 2–6 yrs |
197 OA* knee patients, 201 procedures Aged 31–71 yrs |
Lavage (3 L) and: 173 meniscectomy; 192 articular trimming; 119 microfractures; 201 lavage. |
Local anesthesia: Excellent response: Gr. I & II: 7/9 (78%) Gr. III: 10/20 (50%) Gr. IV: 13/42 (31%) |
Patients with earlier disease, sudden onset mechanical symptoms, unicompartmental disease had better outcomes. |
| Dervin et al., 2003 (13) 2 yrs |
156 OA knee patients Aged 43–75 yrs 57% gr. III or IV |
Debridement + resection chondral flaps, meniscal tears. Baseline: WOMAC pain 3-49. |
Success: Pain: 44% (56/126); Stiff: 44% (55/126); Function: 39% (49/126) |
Medial compartment more frequently and severely involved. 63% (n = 79) w/meniscal tears, 57/79 in medial meniscus. Clinical predictors of success only partially helpful. |
| McGinley et al., 1999 (12) 10 yrs |
191 OA TKR*/osteotomy knee candidates; only 91 knees at 10 yrs (77 patients) Aged 55–82 yrs |
Debridement: meniscal tear resection and non-aggressive shaving of frayed articular cartilage. | 33% knees TKR at average 6.7 yrs; 67% knees (21/77 patients) without TKR at mean 13.2 yrs: 7/21 patients TKR within 2 yrs (6/7 Outerbridge grade IV with significant meniscal tears). |
Patients with unilateral radiographic changes, pain limiting function good candidates, bilateral disease, and limited range of motion poor candidates for debridement. |
| Fond et al., 2002 (16) 2–5 yrs |
36 OA knee patients, symptoms 6–140 mos Aged 50–82 yrs |
Debridement of meniscal tears, debridement and limited thermal stabilization of chondral defects, removal of impinging tibial, notch, subpatellar osteophytes, partial synovectomy, and lateral retinacular release. | Excellent/good results: 2 yrs: 32/36 patients. 5 yrs: 25/36 patients. |
Predictors of poor outcome: Disease duration > 5 yrs, tricompartmental OA. |
| Menetrey et al., 2002 (15) 3–7 yrs |
32 OA knee patients Aged 51–74 yrs |
Lavage + partial meniscectomy | Good results at 6 yrs: Degenerative: 20%; Non-degenerative: 90% |
Older patients with degenerative disease (compared to traumatic meniscal tears) less likely to do well with partial meniscectomy: lavage better option? |
*
OA indicates osteoarthritis; TKR, total knee replacement.