Background: Arthroscopic-assisted meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) has become a viable and effective treatment option for young active patients with postmeniscectomy pain. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is imperative to evaluate the clinical significance of surgical interventions and inform clinical practice guidelines in orthopaedic surgery. Purpose: To perform a systematic review of clinical outcome studies of patients undergoing MAT and compare postoperative improvement with established MCID thresholds. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review was performed using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. A meta-analysis was performed using data obtained from studies reporting patient-reported outcomes. Subgroup analysis was performed on patients undergoing isolated lateral MAT using fresh-frozen grafts. Weighted mean postoperative improvements in the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, and visual analog scale for pain (VAS pain) were calculated and compared with MCID values to determine if they met the MCID threshold. Results: A total of 35 studies were identified, including 1658 unique patients. Weighted mean postoperative score improvements exceeded MCID thresholds for the VAS pain, IKDC, and Lysholm. Subgroup analysis of patients undergoing isolated lateral fresh-frozen MAT demonstrated postoperative improvements exceeding the MCID for the Lysholm and VAS pain. Conclusion: Evaluating postoperative PROMs with respect to the MCID is crucial to evaluate the effect of MAT on functional improvement. The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that postoperative improvements after MAT are clinically meaningful as reflected by PROMs exceeding the MCID threshold for the IKDC, Lysholm, and VAS pain.

Background: Discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) is a rare condition. Patient-reported outcomes using validated instruments are underreported in the literature. DLM outcomes have not been directly compared with nondiscoid meniscus (non-DLM) in adolescent patients. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study sought to analyze the difference in patient characteristics, surgical treatment, and patient-reported outcomes for adolescent patients arthroscopically treated for symptomatic DLM and non-DLM pathology. We hypothesized that DLM and non-DLM patient-reported outcomes would be similar. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective review of patients aged <18 years with symptomatic DLM and non-DLM pathology was completed between 2015 and 2021 at a single academic institution. Chart reviews for patient characteristics and surgical operative indications and technique were completed. Patient-reported outcome scores were prospectively collected preoperatively and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Results: Patients in the DLM group (n = 48), when compared with the non-DLM group (n = 45), were younger (12.71 vs 15.78 years, respectively; P < .001) and had lower body mass index (24.53 vs 28.91, respectively; P < .02). Both groups were majority Hispanic and more commonly male (DLM 65% vs non-DLM 60%). All of the DLM patients had surgery on the lateral discoid meniscus (n = 48), whereas the non-DLM group had surgery on the lateral meniscus (n = 37), medial meniscus (n = 7), or both (n = 1). A majority of patients in both groups underwent meniscal repair (DLM 73% and non-DLM 62%), and there was no difference in surgical treatment between groups ( P > .05). A statistically significant improvement was seen in International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ) scores from the preoperative assessment to 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery for both DLM and non-DLM groups ( P < .05). No difference was found in scores between DLM and non-DLM groups, between sexes, or between age groups (<13 years or ≥13 years) ( P > .05). Conclusion: Although patients with DLM were younger and had lower body mass index, the IKDC and PAQ scores were not significantly different between the DLM and non-DLM groups. Both groups showed a significant improvement in scores relative to their preoperative scores. Sex and age did not affect IKDC or PAQ scores.

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Case: A 15-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity presented with atraumatic posterior ankle pain and stiffness due to extensive heterotopic ossification (HO) of the Achilles tendon. The ossification was successfully surgically resected and tendon primarily repaired. Wound dehiscence was noted at the first preoperative visit, managed conservatively by local wound care, and healed uneventfully by secondary intention. One-year follow-up showed no recurrence of HO, return to baseline activities, yet low Oxford scores. Conclusion: HO of the Achilles tendon is a rare clinical entity. We report an atraumatic case in an adolescent patient with metabolic syndrome, which may demonstrate systemic inflammation because of metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for HO.