Is Arthroscopic Meniscectomy Associated With an Increased Risk of Total Knee Arthroplasty for Claimants in the Workers’ Compensation System? A 10-Year Study of Workers’ Compensation Claims From a Large Nationwide Workers’ Compensation Insurance Carrier

Abstract

Background Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a commonly performed knee surgery and prior arthroscopic meniscectomy (AM) has been linked to an increased risk of TKA in the general population. Objective To study the relationship between AM and TKA among injured workers whose medical care is paid for under workers’ compensation (WC). Method A total of 17,247 lost-time claims depicting all arthroscopic knee surgical procedures performed from 2007 to 2017 were followed to the end of 2022 and analyzed. Results The odds ratio of undergoing a TKA for those with a preceding AM is 2.20, controlling for age, sex, and attorney involvement. Conclusions Undergoing an AM is associated with an increased risk of TKA in WC claimants.