Purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between subjective patient discomfort, chondral damage and muscular weakness in cases of gonarthrosis (OA).
In 22 patients suffering from OA who underwent arthroscopy, the complaints were scored by the Lysholm score. Chondral damage was determined by a special "chondral score". The maximum peak torque was measured pre- and postoperatively (isokinetic test, Cybex 6000 dynamometer).
Joint debridement and subsequent postoperative aggressive rehabilitation produced a significant increase in the Lysholm score (from 45.7 to 77.5 points). Subjective complaints correlated significantly with the degree of chondral damage. After treatment, the strength of the extensor muscles increased significantly. The strength of the flexor muscles strength also increased tendentially. However, there was a deficit in muscular strength in comparison to the contralateral leg in all cases. The subjective complaints correlated with the loss of muscle strength at slow angular velocities.
The patients" evaluation with the Lysholm score in combination with an arthroscopic chondral score and the measurement of the isokinetic muscle strength is a suitable method to obtain information about the chances of success for arthroscopic joint debridement in patients suffering from OA. Arthroscopic treatment is an appropriate measure for a short-term reduction of subjective complaints in OA. But it is also useful to reduce muscular deficits.