Long-term results of arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy in knees without associated damage
- C. Hoser, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1;
- C. Fink, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1;
- C. Brown, FRACS, Orthopaedic Surgeon2;
- M. Reichkendler, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1;
- W. Hackl, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1; and
- J. Bartlett, FRCS, Orthopaedic Surgeon3
- 1Universität Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
- 2Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
- 3Orthopaedic Unit, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, 3084 Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
- Correspondence should be sent to Dr C. Hoser.
Abstract
We evaluated the outcome of partial lateral meniscectomy of 31 knees in 29 patients whose knees were otherwise normal. The mean follow-up was 10.3 years.
According to the Lysholm score, 14 knees were rated as excellent, four as good, five as fair and eight as poor, with a mean score of 80.5 points. Radiologically, only one lateral compartment was classified as grade 0, eight as grade 1, nine as grade 2, 11 as grade 3, and two as grade 4 according to Tapper and Hoover. No significant (p < 0.05) correlation was found between the amount of tissue resected and the subjective, clinical and radiological outcome.
Although early results of lateral meniscectomy may be satisfactory, we have demonstrated that in the long term there was a high incidence of degenerative changes, a high rate of reoperation (29%) and a relatively low functional outcome score.
- Received May 17, 2000.
- Accepted November 22, 2000.
- © 2001 British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
