Torn discoid lateral meniscus treated using partial central meniscectomy and suture of the peripheral tear

Abstract

We present the cases of 5 patients with a torn discoid lateral meniscus treated using partial central meniscectomy in conjunction with the suture repair of the tear. The patients were 4 boys and 1 girl with a mean age of 15.4 years (range, 11 to 17). Preoperatively, all patients complained of knee pain during daily or sports activities. At the final follow-up evaluation, more than 2 years later, 4 patients' conditions were graded as excellent and 1 patient's condition was graded as fair according to Ikeuchi's grading scale. The average Lysholm score improved from 83.4 points (range, 70-90) to 95.8 points (range, 89-100) postoperatively. In the 3 patients who underwent second-look arthroscopy, complete healing was seen in 2 patients. One patient had severe degenerative changes in the meniscus; the repaired site was not united and required an additional partial meniscectomy along the tear. We believe that with the current advancement in arthroscopic meniscal repair techniques, a partial central meniscectomy in conjunction with the suture repair of the peripheral tear can be effective treatment for patients with a torn complete or incomplete discoid meniscus.