Most knee osteoarthritis and meniscectomy studies focus on osteoarthritis in the tibiofemoral joint and ignore the patellofemoral joint. This study aims to assess the long-term effects of total meniscectomy on the patellofemoral joint. To our knowledge, this is the only study of osteoarthritis in the patellofemoral joint following meniscectomy that extends to a 40-year follow-up period. Twenty-two patients with osteoarthritis were evaluated at a mean of 40 years post-meniscectomy using standardised weight-bearing radiographs of the operated and non-operated knees. Patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis was diagnosed by the presence of osteophytes and joint space narrowing to less than 5 mm. Kellgren and Lawrence scores were calculated from the radiographs. Patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis and tibiofemoral joint osteoarthritis were correlated with International Knee Documentation Committee scores and range of movement measurements. A significant difference was observed between the operated and non-operated knees in terms of patellofemoral joint osteophyte formation. There was a significant difference in tibiofemoral joint Kellgren and Lawrence scores, International Knee Documentation Committee scores and range of movement measurements between knees with lateral facet patellofemoral joint space of < 5 mm and > 5 mm. This study shows an association between open total meniscectomy and patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis at 40 years following surgery. There was also an association between patellofemoral joint space narrowing in the lateral facet and tibiofemoral joint osteoarthritis. Possible causes include altered biomechanical loading patterns following meniscectomy as well as global processes within the knee.
Keywords: Knee; Long-term follow-up; Meniscectomy; Osteoarthritis; Patellofemoral joint; Tibiofemoral joint.