Meniscal Tear and Osteoarthritis

►Home
►Appointment Info
►Contact Us
►Laser Hair
►Hormones
►Dr. Darrow Videos

►Prolotherapy
►Acute Pain
►Chronic Pain
►Pain Management
►Types of Chronic Pain
►Pain Management Drugs
►Pain and Acupuncture
►Electrical Stimulation
►Nerve Blocks

►Radio Shows OnLine

Meniscal Tear and Osteoarthritis
Researchers writing in The Journal of rheumatology say Meniscal tear at specific sites shares risk factors with knee OA. Importantly, meniscal tear is associated with cartilage defect, loss of cartilage volume, alteration in bone size, and prevalence of radiographic (osteoarthritis), suggesting that meniscal tear in non-OA (osteoarthritis) subjects appears to be an early event in the disease process, and may be a risk factor for knee cartilage damage and articular structural changes.

Ding C, Martel-Pelletier J, Pelletier JP, Abram F, Raynauld JP, Cicuttini F, Jones G. Meniscal Tear as an Osteoarthritis Risk Factor in a Largely Non-Osteoarthritic Cohort: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Rheumatol. 2007 Apr;34(4):776-784. Epub 2007 Mar 15

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between meniscal tear, knee structure, osteoarthritis (OA) risk factors, radiographic change, and symptoms in a largely non-osteoarthritic cohort.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 294 subjects with mean age 47 (SD 6) years, body mass index (BMI) 28 (SD 5), and 58% were female. Meniscal tear, knee cartilage defect score, quantitative tibial and femoral cartilage volume, and tibial plateau bone area were determined using T1-weighted fat saturated magnetic resonance images.

RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, prevalence of meniscal tear was significantly associated with age (OR 1.06 to 1.12/year, all p < 0.05), BMI (OR 1.06 to 1.11/kg/m(2), all p < 0.05 with the exception of the lateral anterior horn), sex (women vs men: OR 4.14 to 4.23, p < 0.01 at the medial and lateral meniscal body site), and family history of OA (OR 1.97 to 2.01, p < 0.05 at the lateral meniscal anterior and posterior horns). Meniscal tear was associated with a higher tibiofemoral cartilage defect score at lateral body and all medial sites, lower tibial and femoral cartilage volume at the lateral compartment, markedly higher prevalent radiographic OA at medial compartment, and greater tibial bone area. Moreover, meniscal tear at the lateral posterior and anterior horns was significantly associated with WOMAC pain, stiffness, and function scores.

CONCLUSION: Meniscal tear at specific sites shares risk factors with knee OA. Importantly, meniscal tear is associated with cartilage defect, loss of cartilage volume, alteration in bone size, and prevalence of radiographic OA, suggesting that meniscal tear in non-OA subjects appears to be an early event in the disease process, and may be a risk factor for knee cartilage damage and articular structural changes.

►Back Pain
►Elbow Pain
►Golf Injuries
►Headaches
►Hip Pelvic Pain
►Knee Pain
►Neck Pain
►Shoulder Pain
►Whiplash
►Wrist Pain
►Side Effects of
Prolotherapy

A Multi-Disciplinary Clinic For Professional and Amateur Athletes and Chronic Pain Sufferers
11645 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 120 Los Angeles, CA (310) 231-7000

Patient's stories herein, and the language used, is intended to inform and educate. HOWEVER, it does not imply that you or anyone else will receive the same outcome.

Prolotherapy and other modalities mentioned are medical techniques that may not be considered mainstream. As with any medical procedure, results will vary among individuals, and there could be pain or substantial risks involved. These concerns should be discussed with your health care provider prior to any treatment so that you have proper informed consent and understand that there are no guarantees to healing.

Neither Dr. Darrow, nor any associate of DARROW WELLNESS INSTITUTE offer medical advice on this website. This information is offered for educational purposes only. Do not act or rely upon our information without seeking independent professional medical advice. The transmission of this information does not create a physician-patient relationship between you and Dr. Darrow or any associate of DARROW WELLNESS INSTITUTE. Neither Dr. Darrow, nor any associate of DARROW WELLNESS INSTITUTE guarantees the accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any resources, information, apparatus, product, or process available at or from this transmission. The photos in this Web site feature models for illustrative purposes and do not depict real patients.

DARROW WELLNESS INSTITUTE, INC IS HIPAA COMPLIANT. HIPPA IS SHORT FOR THE HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. HIPAA PROTECTS PATIENTS' PRIVACY & PERSONAL HEALTHCARE INFORMATION.