Abstract:Objective To explore the predictive value of serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) for poor prognosis after arthroscopic knee lateral retinacular release gurgery in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods A total of 145 KOA patients who were treated at the Hongda Hospital of Jiamusi University from January 2022 to January 2024 were selected. Serum IL-17 and MMP-13 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Patients were followed up for 1 year postoperatively. Those with a Lysholm score of 70 ~ 100 were classified as the good prognosis group (108 cases), while those with a score < 70 were classified as the poor prognosis group (37 cases). For KOA patients with poor prognosis after arthroscopic lateral retinacular release of the knee, the Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation between serum IL-17 and MMP-13. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze independent risk factors affecting poor prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) were plotted to evaluate the efficacy of serum IL-17 and MMP-13 in predicting postoperative poor prognosis.Results The poor prognosis group was older than the good prognosis group, and the proportion of patients with ≥ 2 affected compartments was higher than that of the good prognosis group, with all differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05); the serum levels of IL-17 and MMP-13 in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group, with all differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05); serum IL-17 and MMP-13 levels were positively correlated in the poor prognosis group (r = 0.464, P = 0.000); age ≥ 60 years, ≥ 2 affected compartments, high serum IL-17, and high serum MMP-13 levels were independent risk factors affecting poor prognosis after arthroscopic knee lateral retinacular release in KOA patients (P < 0.05); the area under the curve (AUC) for predicting poor prognosis after arthroscopic knee lateral retinacular release in KOA patients were 0.830, 0.815, and 0.916 for serum IL-17, MMP-13, and combined testing, respectively, with combined prediction being superior (Z for IL-17 vs. combined = 2.783, Z for MMP-13 vs. combined = 3.289, P for IL-17 vs. combined = 0.005, P for MMP-13 vs. combined = 0.001).Conclusion After arthroscopic lateral retinacular release of the knee joint, KOA patients with poor prognosis has higher serum IL-17 and MMP-13 levels at 14 days postoperatively compared to patients with good prognosis. The combined detection of both has a high predictive value; age ≥ 60 years, the number of affected compartments ≥ 2, and high serum IL-17 and MMP-13 levels are independent risk factors affecting poor prognosis and should be closely monitored.