Purpose

Evaluate the ability of patients to return to work (RTW) following arthroscopic meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) for meniscal deficiency.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing MAT were retrospectively reviewed at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Patients completed a subjective work questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation, and satisfaction.

Results

Forty-seven patients who were employed within 3 years prior to surgery (average age: 30.2 ± 6.9 years) were contacted at an average of 3.5 ± 0.9 years postoperatively. Forty-six patients (97.8%) returned to work by 2.7 ± 2.6 months postoperatively, and 44 patients (93.6%) returned to the same level of occupational intensity. Patients who held sedentary, light, medium, or high intensity occupations were able to RTW at a rate of 100.0%, 100.0%, 88.9%, and 85.7% (P = 0.4) by 1.1 ± 1.0 months, 2.5 ± 2.5 months, 3.5 ± 3.2 months, and 4.3 ± 2.8 months (P = 0.3) postoperatively. Thirty-eight patients (80.9%) were at least somewhat satisfied, and 43 patients (91.5%) would still have the operation if presented the opportunity. No patient underwent revision MAT or conversion to arthroplasty.

Conclusion

In patients with painful meniscal deficiency, MAT provides a high rate of RTW (97.8%) by 2.7 ± 2.6 months postoperatively. However, some patients may be unable to return to their previous level of occupational intensity. Although statistically insignificant, patients with higher intensity occupations may have a lower rate and longer duration until RTW than those with less physically demanding occupations. Information regarding RTW is imperative for appropriately managing postoperative expectations.

中文翻译：

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关节镜半月板同种异体移植后重返工作岗位。

目的

评估关节镜下半月板同种异体移植 (MAT) 治疗半月板缺陷后患者重返工作岗位 (RTW) 的能力。

方法

连续接受 MAT 的患者在术后至少 2 年进行回顾性分析。患者完成了主观工作问卷、疼痛视觉模拟量表、单次评估数值评估和满意度。

结果

在手术前 3 年内就业的 47 名患者（平均年龄：30.2 ± 6.9 岁）在术后平均 3.5 ± 0.9 年被联系。46 名患者（97.8%）在术后 2.7 ± 2.6 个月内恢复工作，44 名患者（93.6%）恢复到相同的职业强度水平。从事久坐、轻度、中度或高强度职业的患者能够以 100.0%、100.0%、88.9% 和 85.7% 的比率 ( P = 0.4) 缩短 1.1 ± 1.0 个月、2.5 ± 2.5 个月、3.5术后± 3.2 个月和 4.3 ± 2.8 个月（P = 0.3）。38 名患者（80.9%）至少有些满意，43 名患者（91.5%）如果有机会仍会接受手术。没有患者接受 MAT 翻修或转为关节成形术。

结论

在有疼痛的半月板缺损的患者中，MAT 在术后 2.7 ± 2.6 个月提供了较高的 RTW 率（97.8%）。然而，一些患者可能无法恢复到以前的职业强度水平。尽管在统计学上不显着，但从事高强度职业的患者可能比从事体力要求较低的职业的患者达到 RTW 的发生率更低且持续时间更长。关于 RTW 的信息对于适当管理术后期望是必不可少的。