Low-impact sports activities are feasible after meniscus transplantation: a systematic review.

purposeTo determine sports activities achieved after meniscus transplantation and if associations exist between sports activity levels and transplant failure or progression of tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (OA).

methodsA systematic search was performed using PubMed and Cochrane online databases. Inclusionary criteria were English language, clinical trials published from 1996 through May 2017, minimum 2 years of follow-up, and sports activity data reported.

resultsTwenty-eight studies were included in which 1521 menisci were implanted into 1497 patients. The mean age was 34.3 ± 6.7 years, and the mean follow-up was 5.0 ± 3.7 years. Details on sports activities were provided in 7 studies (285 patients) that reported 70-92% of patients returned to a wide variety of sports activities. Mean Tegner activity scores were reported in 24 investigations. The mean score was <5 in 58% of these studies, indicating many patients were participating in light recreational activities. There was no association between mean Tegner scores and transplant failure rates. A moderate correlation was found between failure rates and mean follow-up time (R = 0.63). The effect of sports activity levels on progression of tibiofemoral OA could not be determined because of limited data. Only two studies determined whether symptoms occurred during sports activities; these reported 1/38 (3%) and 5/69 (7%) patients had knee-related problems.

conclusionsIt appeared that the majority of individuals returned to low-impact athletic activities after meniscus transplantation. The short-term follow-up did not allow for an analysis on the effect of return to high-impact activities on transplant failure rates or progression of OA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.