The Condition of the Meniscus and Cartilage of the Injured Knee on Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is a Prognostic Factor Affecting Postoperative Outcomes Following Knee Cartilage Restoration Surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between preoperative whole-joint imaging evaluation of the knee with patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures after cartilage restoration surgery (mosaicplasty, osteochondral allograft transplantation, matrix autologous chondrocyte implantation).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent knee articular cartilage restoration at our institution from 2014 to 2020. The patients' knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was evaluated with the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) and semiquantitative synovial inflammation imaging biomarkers of the preoperative MRI. To assess PRO score, Lysholm score and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score were completed at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman rank test to obtain correlation values for WORMS score and PRO score for each survey.

Results: Forty patients were enrolled in this study. The average age at baseline was 34.5 years. The average body mass index was 28.2, and 26 of 40 were men (age range, 20-58 years). The maximum preoperative WORMS score was significantly correlated with the postoperative Lysholm score ( = -0.52,  = .0013). The WORMS Meniscus and Cartilage subscales were significantly correlated with the Lysholm score ( = -0.36,  = .024 and  = -0.37,  = .021, respectively). The maximum WORMS score was significantly correlated with the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score daily living and sports/recreation subscores ( = -0.47,  = .0023 and  = -0.42,  = .0077, respectively). Semiquantitative synovial inflammation imaging biomarkers were not significantly correlated with PRO scores.

Conclusions: Increasing preoperative degenerative change in the knee, as evidenced by a higher WORMS on preoperative MRI, was associated with inferior patient-reported outcomes at a minimum of 2 years after cartilage restoration surgery (mosaicplasty, osteochondral allograft transplantation, matrix autologous chondrocyte implantation). Semiquantitative scoring of the whole joint on preoperative MRI may allow for improved counseling regarding expected benefit for patients after cartilage restoration surgery.

Level Of Evidence: Level IV, prognostic case series.