US detection of medial meniscus extrusion can predict the risk of developing radiographic knee osteoarthritis: a 5-year cohort study

Objectives To clarify the relationship between the baseline value of medial meniscus extrusion (MME) and the radiographic change of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) through a 5-year follow-up. Methods Overall, 472 participants and 944 knees were eligible. MME (mm) was measured at the baseline, and KOA was radiographically evaluated at both baseline and 5-year follow-up by Kellgren-Lawrence grade (KLG). Radiographic KOA (ROA) was defined as the knee showing KLG ≥ 2. Incident ROA (iROA) was defined if the baseline KLG of 0–1 increased to KLG ≥ 2 in 5 years. Progressive ROA (pROA) was defined if the baseline KLG of 2–3 worsened to a higher grade in 5 years. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and generalized estimating equations were used for analysis. Results Of 574 non-ROA knees at the baseline, 43 knees (7.5%) developed iROA; of 370 ROA knees, 47 knees (12.7%) developed pROA. Based on the ROC curves, 4 mm was the optimal cutoff to detect the risk of iROA (area under curve [AUC] 0.639 [right knee]; AUC 0.641 [left knee]) and that of pROA (AUC 0.750 [right knee]; AUC 0.863 [left knee]). Multiple regression analysis showed that the 4-mm cutoff of MME was significantly associated with both the prevalence of iROA (regression coefficient [ B ] 1.909; p ≤ 0.001; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.746) and that of pROA ( B 1.791; p ≤ 0.001; aOR 5.993). Conclusions On ultrasonography, the participants with more extruded medial meniscus showed a higher prevalence of both iROA and pROA. Ultrasonography could identify patients who had a risk of developing KOA. Key Points • Through a 5-year follow-up, the current cohort study was conducted to clarify the relationship between the baseline value of medial meniscus extrusion (MME) and the radiographic change of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). • More extruded medial meniscus evaluated by ultrasonography was associated with the development of radiographic KOA. • Ultrasonography could identify the patients who had a risk of developing KOA, and the 4-mm cutoff of MME was optimal to detect this risk.