Factors associated with meniscus volume in knees free of degenerative features

Objectives To explore factors that were associated with meniscus volume in knees free of radiographic OA features and symptoms of OA. Methods In the third Rotterdam Study cohort, clinical, radiographic, and MR data were obtained at baseline (BL) and after 5 years of follow-up. Meniscus volumes and their change over time were calculated after semi-automatic segmentation on MRI. Knees with radiographic OA features (K&L>0) or clinical diagnosis of OA (ACR) at BL were excluded. Ten OA risk factors were adjusted in the multivariable analysis (generalized estimating equations), treating two knees within subjects as repeated measurements. Results From 1065 knees (570 subjects), the average (standard deviation) age and BMI of included subjects were 54.3 (3.7) years and 26.5 (4.4) kg/m2. At baseline, nine factors (varus alignment, higher BMI, meniscus pathologies, meniscus extrusion, cartilage lesions, injury, greater physical activity level, quadriceps muscle strength, and higher age) were significantly associated with greater meniscus volume. Five factors (injury, meniscus pathologies, meniscus extrusion, higher age, and change of BMI) were significantly associated with meniscus volume loss. Conclusions Modifiable factors (varus alignment, BMI, physical activity level, and quadriceps muscle strength) and non-modifiable factors (higher age, injury, meniscus pathologies, meniscus extrusion, and cartilage lesions) were all associated with meniscus volume or meniscus volume loss over time.