The influence of external knee moments on the outcome of total meniscectomy. A comparison of radiological and 3-D gait analysis measurements

Twenty one individuals who had undergone unilateral total meniscectomy, and had no significant antero-posterior (AP) laxity underwent three dimensional (3-D) gait analysis, bilateral radiological assessment of varus/valgus alignment and tibio-femoral osteoarthritis (TFOA). Average foot progression angle during the stance phase of gait was not related to knee adduction moment. The findings support the previously noted correlation between varus/valgus alignment and TFOA. The dynamic gait parameter of the adduction moment in early stance did not correlate with either hip–knee–ankle angle or TFOA, thus the expected influence of external moments on outcome after meniscectomy was not found. Thus the correlation between varus/valgus alignment and TFOA can not be explained by a simple loading algorithm.