Results of arthroscopic meniscectomy

Abstract

The results of 100 arthroscopic partial meniscectomies are reported. Hospitalisation was on average 1.5 days; return to work 3 weeks and to sports activities 7 weeks. This is particularly rewarding for the patient. The results were excellent or good in 87% of cases. In 10 of the 13 unsatisfactory results there was associated chronic anterior laxity. Its prior evaluation by dynamic tests is therefore particularly important. The duration of symptoms and site and type of lesion had no bearing on the final result. Less satisfactory results were recorded in subjects with quadriceps wasting exceeding 2 On the basis of this and other reported series arthroscopic partial meniscectomy has proved effective in the mid-term assessment. It is still too early to draw definitive conclusions on the long-term results, but the conservative nature of this technique leads us to predict better long-term results than those obtained with traditional total meniscectomy.