Increased Joint Space Narrowing After Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Background: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is widely performed and remains an important therapeutic option for patients with a meniscal tear. However, it is debated whether or not APM accelerates the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in the long term.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose was to compare the progression of OA measured by the change in tibiofemoral joint space width (JSW)-a quantitative measure of OA radiographic severity-across 3 groups with a midterm follow-up: (1) patients undergoing APM; (2) those with a meniscal tear treated nonoperatively; and (3) those without a tear.