IMPACT OF CARTILAGE DAMAGE ON ARTHROGENIC MUSCLE INHIBITION IN PATIENTS WITH MENISCUS INJURIES

Abstract

Background: Knee traumata are associated with arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). We aimed to identify impact factors on AMI. Methods: A total of 37 patients with meniscus injuries were interviewed and examined for maximum isometric knee extensor force preoperatively. We analyzed AMI as relative maximum isometric force between healthy and injured legs. Regression analyses were computed to evaluate associations between an AMI with muscle-strength reduction [Formula: see text]% and several parameters and between cartilage damage[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]stadium 3 and several parameters. ROC curves were calculated to investigate effectiveness of age and pain at rest for prediction of cartilage lesions [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]stadium 3. Results: Meniscus injuries lead to distinct AMI with reduced strength of 26.6% in mean. In multi-variate logistic regressions, an AMI with muscle weakness [Formula: see text]% was associated with higher severity of cartilage lesions (OR3.267, 95% CI 1.059–10.078, [Formula: see text]). In uni-variate regression analyses, pain at rest (OR1.398, 95%CI 1.071–1.824, [Formula: see text]) and patients’ age (per year) (OR1.145, 95%CI 1.042–1.257, [Formula: see text]) were associated with cartilage damage[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]stadium 3. Optimal cut-off values for patients’ age and pain at rest to predict cartilage damage stadium[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] were 44.5 years and VAS-scale-value 4.5 with good effectiveness (AUC 0.855 and 0.732), respectively. Conclusions: Meniscus injuries lead to distinct AMI with 26.6% reduction in muscle strength. Concomitant cartilage damage is an important cofactor for development of distinct AMI. Moderate to severe pain at rest and age [Formula: see text] years were indicators for concomitant higher cartilage damage in patients with meniscal lesions.