Meniscectomy and osteoarthritis: what is the cause and what is the effect?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major health burden among the middle aged and elderly. Partial meniscectomy, the most common orthopedic surgical intervention, is recognized as a strong risk factor for knee OA. Loss of the main meniscal functions, load distribution and shock absorption, are often critical steps in knee OA development. This review outlines the concept of a dual relationship between meniscectomy and OA. A meniscal tear may not only lead to meniscectomy and OA, but early stage knee OA may also lead to meniscal tear and meniscectomy, with the meniscal tear representing a signature feature of developing OA of the joint.