Changes in Tibiofemoral Kinematics and Kinetics During Stair Ascent After Partial Medial Meniscectomy

Meniscectomy is a well-known risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) in humans. It has been reported that total meniscectomy increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis radiographically by 14 times after 21 years [1] and that partial meniscectomy increases the risk of developing radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis within 16 years by a factor of four [2]. Two possible functional measures have been suggested as mechanisms for the development and progression of premature knee osteoarthritis: alterations in either kinematics or kinetics. Changes in kinematics, such as a shift in internal-external (IE) rotation after anterior cruciate ligament injury, have been suggested as a basis for an increased rate of cartilage thinning [3]. The other possible reason for the development of premature OA post-meniscectomy is a change in kinetics, the mechanical loading that occurs, particularly in the medial compartment [4]. The knee adduction moment has been associated with the rate of progression of osteoarthritis [5] and it has thus been suggested that the knee adduction moment is a good surrogate measure for in vivo load on the medial compartment osteoarthritis [6].