Abstract This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Internet+ rehabilitation in arthroscopic treatment for knee meniscal injuries and its influence on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) factors. A cohort of 120 patients with meniscal injuries undergoing arthroscopic treatment in the Orthopedics Department between January 2021 and December 2022 was randomly assigned to either a control group or a study group using a randomization table. The control group underwent self-rehabilitation at home, while the study group received Internet-enhanced rehabilitation. Patient compliance with rehabilitation exercises, knee joint functionality, and long-term KOA outcomes were compared between the groups. KOA status was evaluated using the Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grading system, categorizing grades 0 to 2 as KOA negative and grades 3 to 5 as KOA positive, to investigate factors impacting KOA. The study group demonstrated significantly higher compliance rates and Lysholm scores compared with the control group. K–L grades were notably lower in the study group, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were significantly reduced in the study group as well. The KOA-positive subgroup exhibited significantly older age and longer preoperative durations than the KOA-negative subgroup, with a notably higher proportion of Internet+ rehabilitation intervention in the study group than in the control group. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis identified advanced age and prolonged preoperative duration as risk factors for KOA, while Internet-enhanced rehabilitation intervention emerged as a protective factor against KOA. The integration of Internet+ rehabilitation in arthroscopic treatment for knee meniscal injuries substantially enhances treatment compliance and improves joint functionality. During a 12-month follow-up, internet-enhanced rehabilitation was associated with a lower occurrence and severity of KOA. Furthermore, advanced age and an extended preoperative duration represented independent risk factors for KOA, while Internet+ rehabilitation was independently associated with a reduced odds of KOA in multivariate analysis.
Qiu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.