Multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis of the postoperative effect of symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus

INTRODUCTION: The postoperative effect of arthroscopy in the treatment of symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) varies greatly among individuals. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the factors affecting the postoperative outcomes of symptomatic DLM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients with symptomatic single-knee DLM who underwent arthroscopic surgery at our hospital from 9/2008 to 9/2015 were included. Retrospectively collected 16 factors probably affecting postoperative outcomes. The Ikeuchi grade system was used to evaluate the knee joint function. Univariate analysis was performed by Kruskal–Wallis rank-sum test or Mann–Whitney U test, and multivariate analysis by ordered logistic regression. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A sum of 502 patients was included, including 353 females (70.3%) and 149 males (29.7%). Difference between preoperative and postoperative Ikeuchi grade was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Female was bad to obtain a good Ikeuchi grade (P = 0.009, OR 0.458). Outerbridge grade (P = 0.018, OR 0.638) was negatively correlated with Ikeuchi grade. BMI (P = 0.001, OR 0.875) and work intensity (P = 0.020, OR 0.611) were inversely correlated with Ikeuchi grade. Age of onset (P < 0.001, OR 0.956) and symptoms duration (P < 0.001, OR 0.988) were negatively correlated with Ikeuchi grade. Besides, compared to total meniscectomy, meniscoplasty with a repair was an unfavourable factor for Ikeuchi grade (P = 0.044, OR 0.245). CONCLUSIONS: With the increase of BMI, work intensity, age of onset, duration of symptoms, and the severity of cartilage lesion, the postoperative results become worse. Moreover, female and meniscoplasty with repair are risk factors for the postoperative outcomes. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00402-021-03821-3.