Summary

The 6-meter timed hop test result was a significant prognostic factor for two-year patient-reported outcomes in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal tears, especially in those treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy

Abstract

Purpose

To identify prognostic factors for two-year patient-reported outcomes in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal tears treated with exercise therapy (ET) or arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM).

Methods

One hundred and seven patients, with mean age 49.6 (SD 6.2) years and BMI 25.7 (SD 3.7), were included in this analysis of data from the OMEX trial (www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01002794). Linear and Poisson regression models were built to explore associations between potential prognostic factors (patient characteristics, knee function-related and disease-related factors) and two-year patient-reported outcomes: the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales Pain, Symptoms, ADL, Sport/Rec, QoL and 5-point Global Rating of Change scales for knee pain (GRC Pain) and function (GRC Function). Analyses were performed for the whole cohort and for the two treatment groups (n=55 and 52) with adjustments for age, sex, BMI and baseline KOOS.

Results

For the whole cohort, a one-second better baseline six-meter timed hop test result was associated with 3.1-7.1 points better two-year scores for all KOOS subscales (95% CIs 1.1-5.2 to 4.1-10.1 points). A 1.61 to 2.80 s better test was associated with scores equivalent to previously calculated clinical relevant differences for each KOOS subscale. For the groups of patients treated with ET and APM respectively, 2.09-3.60 s and 0.63-1.99 s better tests were associated with clinical relevant differences.
For the whole cohort, a one-second better test was associated with 26% (95% CI 15-38%) and 22% (95% CI 11-34%) higher possibility for better or much better GRC Pain and Function scores. Patients treated with ET had 17% (95% CI 2-33%) increased possibility for better or much better GRC Pain score, and patients treated with APM had 65% (95% CI 32-108%) and 70% (95% CI 38-109%) increased possibility for better or much better GRC Pain and Function scores.

Conclusions

The six-meter timed hop test result was a significant prognostic factor for two-year patient-reported outcomes in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal tears, especially in those treated with APM.