Arthroscopic evaluation of articular cartilage in knee injuries: A predictor of early osteoarthritis in young population.

Objective: To evaluate articular Cartilage after Knee injuries in young population as predictor of early Osteoarthritis, to pave the much more effective OA preventive measures in young population. Study Design: Descriptive Case Series. Setting: Department of Orthopedics, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Period: 2020 to 2021. Material & Methods: One hundred forty five patients was conducted in Early Osteoarthritis was defined as a diffuse and ill-defined involvement, but originated in the cartilage surrounding a focal lesion, considered to include a maximal involvement of 50% of the cartilage thickness (ICRS Grade II) based on the macroscopic ICRS classification. Articular cartilage evaluation (Chondral lesions and OA) were recorded on set proforma according to ICRS grading system. Results: Mean age was 32 years. Significant risk for early osteoarthritis was 17.9%; female had higher risk for early osteoarthritis as compared to male with p value of 0.03. Correlation between patient’s age and grade of chondral lesion with risk for early Osteoarthritis were significant with p value of 0.00 and .002 respectively. Significant risk for early osteoarthritis was 10.25%, 23.08% and 15.38% respectively for anterior cruciate ligament tear, medial meniscus, and lateral meniscus injury. 42.65% anterior cruciate ligament injuries were associated with concomitant injuries, whereas significant risk for early OA was 17.24% as compared to isolated ACL injuries of 57.35% with significant risk for early OA of 10.25%. Concomitant meniscal and ACL injuries had significant risk for early OA was 23.53%. Conclusion: Arthroscopic evaluation of articular Cartilage damage after Knee injuries is good predictor of early Osteoarthritis in young population.