Subtotal Meniscectomy Research Articles

Arthroscopic treatment for symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus during childhood

The purpose of this study was to review the operative long-term results of a large cohort of children treated arthroscopically for a symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus. We retrospectively reviewed the arthroscopic procedures performed on 104 knees (97 patients) between 1990 and 2006 to treat symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus in children. The median age at the time of surgery was 8 years (range 2.5-13.9 years). The follow-up was 8.5 ± 2.5 (mean ± SD) years (median 9, range 2-18.5 years). In this series, young children (2-7 years) usually presented complete discoid menisci with deficit in extension and little pain. The meniscal tissue was almost degenerated, and subtotal meniscectomy was performed. Children aged from 8 to 14 years referred to our institute typically presented a symptomatic tear (pain and swelling joint with snap) of a complete or incomplete discoid lateral meniscus, usually pursuant to a trauma. The treatment performed in this group was a partial meniscectomy. Clinical results at long-term follow-up show better results for subtotal meniscectomies than for partial ones. The results showed the long-term efficacy of arthroscopic treatment of a symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus. On the basis of this study, subtotal meniscectomies in younger patients are preferable when meniscal tissue is degenerated. In older children, we recommend to preserve meniscal tissue as much as possible. In younger patients submitted to subtotal meniscectomies, some adaptation of the knee to stress activity may occur. Therapeutic case series, Level IV.

Four-Year Results From a Randomized Controlled Study of Knee Chondroplasty With Concomitant Medial Meniscectomy: Mechanical Debridement Versus Radiofrequency Chondroplasty

This randomized study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of simple mechanical debridement and 50 degrees C controlled bipolar chondroplasty. A total of 60 patients who had a grade III articular cartilage defect of the medial femoral condyle were included. After randomization, 30 patients underwent simple debridement of articular cartilage defects, which was performed with a mechanical shaver (mechanical shaver debridement [MSD] group). The remaining patients underwent thermal chondroplasty, which was performed with a temperature-controlled bipolar device with a constant thermo-application of a maximum of 50 degrees C (radiofrequency-based chondroplasty [RFC] group). All patients underwent partial (n = 41) or subtotal (n = 19) meniscectomy. Follow-up was undertaken 4 years postoperatively. No significant differences between the preoperative findings for the 2 groups were observed. One patient from the MSD group had died, and one female patient in the RFC group was lost to follow-up. A total of 18 patients had undergone revision operations for persistent knee problems: in the MSD group, there were 8 endoprostheses, 4 osteotomies, and 2 revision arthroscopies, whereas in the RFC group, there was 1 replacement, 2 osteotomies, and 1 revision arthroscopy with subtotal medial meniscectomy. The proportion of revisions was significantly higher in the MSD group (P = .006). These patients were excluded from the evaluation. The remaining 40 patients from both groups benefited from the operation. The preoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was 11.3 points in the MSD group and 15.5 points in the RFC group (P = .279). Patients from the MSD group had a KOOS of 53.2 points at the time of follow-up. In the RFC group the KOOS (71.8 points) was significantly higher (P < .001). Compared with classical mechanical debridement, bipolar radiofrequency currently appears to be the superior method for achieving a good midterm result. Level I, randomized controlled trial.

Arthroscopically Assisted Meniscal Allograft Transplantation in the Knee

Background Allograft meniscal transplantation is known as a possible procedure to solve pain and loss of function in the knee of patients with a history of subtotal or total meniscectomy. Purpose This work was undertaken to evaluate, using subjective questionnaires and clinical and radiographical scores, patients who underwent an arthroscopically assisted meniscal allograft transplantation with a minimum follow-up between 5 and 15 years (range, 62-169 months). Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Demographic data of 49 patients (50 meniscal allograft transplantations) were collected. At the latest follow-up visit, the authors collected preoperative and follow-up Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm, Tegner, and Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain for comparison. Patients were also evaluated with a standardized clinical examination of the knee to objectively evaluate knee-related symptoms. Standard weightbearing radiographs and a full-leg standing radiograph were performed to evaluate the progression of osteoarthritis and malalignment. Results Five patients underwent total knee replacement and were considered failures, 8 patients could only be contacted by phone, and 2 patients were lost to follow-up, so 34 patients underwent the complete study protocol (except for 1 patient who did not have a radiographical evaluation because of pregnancy). The study group consisted of 18 men and 16 women, with a mean age of 33 years at the moment of transplantation and with an average follow-up of 8 years and 9 months. There were only a few concomitant procedures. There was a significant (P < .001) and clinically relevant decrease in the VAS (7 to 3.4) and increase in KOOS (35.8 to 60.2), Lysholm (39.7 to 71.8), and total SF-36 (51.5 to 75.2) from preoperative mean score to postoperative mean score. This improvement stayed consistent during the follow-up period. Despite this improvement, there was no increase in Tegner activity level (P = .604). The more severe the osteoarthritis, the less the improvement. There was a significant (P < .001) increase in osteoarthritis in 42% of the patients (14 of 33), as scored following the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. When strictly respecting the indications, there was no significant correlation between preoperative cartilage damage, preoperative osteoarthritis, alignment deviation, gender, and body mass index and the outcome scores or improvement. In this series, with few concomitant procedures, there was no difference in outcome between medial and lateral transplants. Conclusion Meniscal allograft transplantation may result in important pain relief and functional improvement in patients with a history of (sub)total meniscectomy and pain localized in the affected compartment. Strictly following the indications, meniscal transplantation can give good and predictable results. In 58% of patients, there was no increase in osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification. In 42%, there was a slight or moderate increase in osteoarthritis. No severe increase was noted.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Acute Septic Arthritis After Meniscal Allograft Transplantation

We present the 30-month follow-up results of an acute septic arthritis of the knee after meniscal allograft transplantation, which was successfully treated with graft retention. A 21-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of right knee pain following arthroscopic subtotal lateral meniscectomy. Plain radiographs showed there was no arthritic change with neutral limb alignment. Fourteen days after meniscal allograft transplantation, septic arthritis was confirmed with positive cultures for Staphylococcus epidermidis, and arthroscopic debridement and irrigation were performed. The suggested procedures of our treatment regimen include arthroscopic debridement and irrigation with >or=10 L of normal saline as soon as possible after diagnosis or a clinical suspicion is reached, repeated irrigation under the local anesthesia and intravenous antibiotics until clinical symptoms and laboratory results improve. The decision to repeat the debridement was based on clinical and laboratory results. We reevaluated the patients the third or fourth day after every arthroscopic treatment. At last follow-up, 2 years after the final operation, the patient had no clinical sign of infection. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level were normal and plain radiographs indicated no arthritic change. Further the patient had full pain-free range of knee motion. At this time the Lysholm knee score was 89 and the Tegner score was 5. Magnetic resonance imaging 30 months postoperatively revealed slight (3 mm) extrusion without tear. This case is notable because it shows that early aggressive arthroscopic debridement and repeated irrigation with graft retention can be an effective treatment regimen in selected cases.

Value of Low‐Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosing Meniscal Tears in the Canine Stifle: A Prospective Study Evaluating Sensitivity and Specificity in Naturally Occurring Cranial Cruciate Ligament Deficiency with Arthroscopy as the Gold Standard

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of low-field magnetic resonance imaging (lfMRI) for detection of meniscal tears in the canine stifle. Double-blinded prospective clinical study. Forty-two consecutive stifles of dogs (>or=20 kg; n=34) with clinical and radiologic signs suspicious for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) insufficiency. Each stifle had 7 predefined lfMRI sequences using a 0.5 T magnet with a human knee coil. After lfMRI, diagnostic arthroscopy was performed by 1 surgeon unaware of the MRI findings. After completion of the study MRI images were read by 1 investigator, unaware of the intraoperative findings. At arthroscopy, 22 stifles had meniscal tears requiring subtotal meniscectomy. Of these only 14 were identified by lfMRI. Overall sensitivity and specificity of lfMRI for detection of meniscal tears were 0.64 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]=0.43, 0.80) and 0.90 (95% CI=0.70, 0.97), respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 0.88 (95% CI=0.64, 0.97) and 0.69 (95% CI=0.50, 0.83), respectively. Neither the state of dislocation of vertical longitudinal tears nor the amount of CCL rupture had an influence on lfMRI accuracy (P=1.00). lfMRI was of low diagnostic accuracy in detecting meniscal tears, when compared with arthroscopy. Especially negative lfMRI findings should be interpreted with caution. When using lfMRI as a noninvasive preoperative screening tool for the diagnosis of meniscal tears, a high percentage of missed meniscal tears has to be expected.

Preliminary Clinical Results of Two Techniques for Addressing Graft Tunnel Mismatch in Endoscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

This study reports the initial clinical results of 540 degrees of graft rotation or free tibial bone block to address graft tunnel mismatch in endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The operative reports of patients who underwent endoscopic ACL reconstruction between 1999 and 2001 were reviewed. Nine of 11 patients treated with a free tibial bone block and 14 of 17 patients treated with 540 degrees of graft rotation were evaluated. Mean follow-up was 20 months (range: 13-40 months) for the bone block group and 34 months (range: 18-48 months) for the 540 degrees group. There were statistically significant improvements in physical examination test results postoperatively, and only one patient in the 540 degrees group had a grade one positive pivot shift test. KT-1000 arthrometer testing demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in manual maximum and side-to-side differences at final follow-up. Mean Lysholm and Noyes sports function scores were excellent or good for all patients. One patient required reoperation for flexion contracture, one patient required an arthroscopic irrigation and debridement for a minor infection, and one patient required arthroscopic subtotal medial meniscectomy for failed meniscal repair. No difference was noted between these results and previous results of patients undergoing conventional endoscopic ACL reconstruction. These results demonstrate graft rotation and free bone block techniques are effective in addressing graft tunnel mismatch in endoscopic ACL reconstruction.

Bucket-handle tear of a discoid lateral meniscus in a 6-year-old girl

A six-year-old girl was examined upon development of pain, swelling, and locking in her right knee after a considerable period of discomfort and popping sensation. She had no history of trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a discoid lateral meniscus, filling the entire lateral plateau and exhibiting signs of degeneration. On arthroscopic examination, a bucket-handle tear of the discoid lateral meniscus was noted and the patient was treated with arthroscopic subtotal meniscectomy. During the first month of follow-up, the patient had a full range of motion and normal gait. At three years, she maintained full range of motion without pain, locking, or popping. Due to the likelihood of joint degeneration, long-term follow-up was recommended.

Arthroscopic lateral discoid meniscectomy. Case discussion and review of literature

Discoid meniscus is a morphological anomaly which was described for the first time in the late nineteenth century. It is most commonly found on the lateral aspect of the knee and can be associated with significant morbidity. With the advent of arthroscopic surgical management, either partial or sub-total meniscectomy (depending upon the type of the anomaly) is replacing older techniques. We present our experience with four cases of discoid meniscus treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.

Whole-Organ Arthroscopic Knee Score (WOAKS)

BackgroundTo describe a semi-quantitative score for multi-feature, whole-organ evaluation of the knee in osteoarthritis based on the results of arthroscopic evaluation.MethodsThis was a study of 1,199 patients who were suffering from knee pain for over 3 months (range 3 to 48 months) and had undergone arthroscopy. The mean age of patients was 49.8 (range 17 to 85) years old. Cartilage lesions were graded according to the ICRS protocol (grade 0 to 4 and for osteophytes "grade 5"). Meniscus lesions were classified regarding to the extent of resection which was needed (grade 0: intact meniscus, grade 1: partial meniscectomy, grade 2: subtotal meniscectomy, and grade 3: total meniscectomy). The whole grade of cartilage lesions was calculated as the sum of ICRS grades in all joint surfaces (bearing and non-bearing margin). The whole grade of meniscus lesions was calculated as the sum of the points for medial and lateral meniscus surgery. The Whole-Organ Arthroscopic Knee Score (WOAKS) was the sum of the cartilage and meniscus score.ResultsThe mean knee osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) of all patients was 67.3 ± 26.0 (range 21 to 128) points. The WOAKS was significantly associated (p = 0.001) with patient age (R = 0.399), the subjective complaints (R = 0.630) in KOOS, and the radiological grade of OA (R = 0.731).ConclusionThe good correlation between the WOAKS and the subjective complaints as well as the radiological grade of OA suggests that the score can be used as an instrument for description of the "whole organ" knee. This score may be useful for clinical or epidemiological studies in the future.

The Effect of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction on Kinematics of the Knee With Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Subtotal Medial Meniscectomy: An In Vitro Robotic Investigation

The aims of this study were to determine: (1) the kinematic effect of subtotal medial meniscectomy on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee and (2) the effect of ACL reconstruction on kinematics of the knee with combined ACL deficiency and subtotal medial meniscectomy under anterior tibial and simulated quadriceps loads. Eight human cadaveric knees were sequentially tested using a robotic testing system under 4 conditions: intact, ACL deficiency, ACL deficiency with subtotal medial meniscectomy, and single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. Knee kinematics were measured at 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees of flexion under an anterior tibial load of 130 N and a quadriceps muscle load of 400 N. Subtotal medial meniscectomy in the ACL-deficient knee significantly increased anterior and lateral tibial translations under the anterior tibial and quadriceps loads (P < .05). These kinematic changes were larger at high flexion (>or=60 degrees) than at low flexion angles. ACL reconstruction in knees with ACL deficiency and subtotal medial meniscectomy significantly reduced the increased anterior tibial translation, but could not restore anterior translation to the intact level with differences ranging from 2.6 mm at 0 degrees to 5.5 mm at 30 degrees of flexion. ACL reconstruction did not significantly affect the medial-lateral translation and internal-external tibial rotation in the presence of subtotal meniscectomy. Subtotal medial meniscectomy in knees with ACL deficiency altered knee kinematics, especially at high flexion angles. ACL reconstruction significantly reduced the increased tibial translation in knees with combined ACL deficiency and subtotal medial meniscectomy, but could not restore the knee kinematics to the intact knee level. This study suggests that meniscus is an important secondary stabilizer against anterior and lateral tibial translations and should be preserved in the setting of ACL reconstruction for restoration of optimal knee kinematics and function.

Spontaneous Recurrent Hemarthrosis of the Knee in the Elderly: Arthroscopic Treatment and Etiology

To elucidate the etiology of and find a preferable surgical treatment for spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis in osteoarthritic knee joints arthroscopically. Nineteen patients referred to our institution from affiliate hospitals between April 1998 and October 2006 were involved in this study. Their demographics, preoperative radiographic findings, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, arthroscopic findings and procedures performed, the patient's medical history, and the postoperative clinical course were retrospectively reviewed. There were 9 male and 10 female patients with average age of 61.9 years (range, 41 to 83 yrs). The average number of joint aspirations before surgery was 5.4. The average time from onset to arthroscopy was 10 months. Radiographs showed 2 knees with isolated lateral compartment osteoarthritis (OA), one with isolated patellofemoral (PF) OA, 14 with medial and lateral compartment OA, and 2 with tricompartmental OA. Classifying them according to the dominant compartment, 6 knees were medial-dominant OA, 11 lateral-dominant OA, and 2 PF-dominant OA. The MRI scans revealed 18 grade III lateral menisci and 1 grade II lateral menisci. Even with 6 medial-dominant OAs, lateral meniscal involvement was more obvious than medial meniscal involvement on MRI. Subtotal lateral meniscectomy accompanied with coagulation of the bleeding points was performed on 17 cases. For 2 PF OA cases, synovectomy and a histologic examination of synovium were performed. Remission was obtained for 18 cases. The unsuccessful case had cirrhosis of the liver. A majority of the patients (17 of 19) had degenerative torn lateral menisci confirmed with MRI and at arthroscopy. Successful outcomes were achieved by meniscectomy and coagulation. Most so-called spontaneous recurrent hemarthroses in OA knee joints appear to be attributable to torn lateral menisci. Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Measurements of tibio-femoral contact area after experimental partial and subtotal meniscectomie (author's transl)

By means of section material, 24 partial and 58 subtotal meniscectomies were performed and the loss of tibio-femoral contact was evaluated by the Touchier-method planimetrically. In cases of partial resection this loss was 12% only, where as in subtotal resection 46%, where by the remaining contact zones lay in the central-, anyway meniscusfree area. The diagram of the chondral splitting lines showed a maximum of compression here, consecutively the remaining contact zone is reduced to the in earlier times most affected cartilage areas. The result correlates to the appearance of chondromalacies of the central tibial plateau in our own section cases and of postoperative osteoarthritis after subtotal meniscectomies in literature. Subtotal meniscectomies lead to incongruence and increased pressure. a pseudo-regeneration seems not to compensate the meniscus function sufficiently. A result for the clinic one should, when possible, resect menisci only partially.

Regenerative processes of the internal structures of the knee joint following meniscectomy. Experimental study of the knee joint of the rabbit

In an experimental study of thirty rabbits, processes of repairing of the inner structures in the knee joint after meniscectomy were examined: Three operational methods were used: The total, partial and sub-partial menisectomy. Macroscopic, microscopic and electron microscopic examinations of the inner structure of the knee joint were made after intervals of one, three, six, nine and twelve weeks after meniscectomy. Processes of adaptation in the articulating parts of the joints were detected after total and sub-total menisectomy. These were in the form of marginally located chrondo-osteophytic deposits. Very little change or no change at all could be found in the tibia and the femur, where a sub-total meniscectomy had been performed. A regenerative development took place in the capsular part of the resection line of the meniscus and/or the anterior part of the meniscus. The regeneration consisted of connective tissue rich in collagen fibres. No cartilage tissue could be found. There was no regenerative development in evidence after performing a sub-total menisectomy. Closure of the lesion/defect to the original half moon shape was not observed. The inner edge of the meniscus base showed itself to be unchanged. Intermediate cartilage structures remaining in the joint after the performance of partial and sub-total meniscectomy showed evidence of changes in connective tissue composition. Microscopy showed changes in its connective tissue through increased layering of collagen tissue in the cartilaginous tissue matrix. Adaptation processes in the tibia and the femur after total and partial meniscectomy indicate a low functional regenerative efficiency.

Evaluation of Meniscus Allograft Transplantation With Serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging During the First Postoperative Year: Focus on Graft Extrusion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate change in meniscal allograft extrusion during the first year after meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) by use of serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-three consecutive patients who underwent MAT between June 2002 and March 2006 with total or subtotal meniscectomy of the knee were enrolled in the study. The medial meniscus was affected in 3 cases (15%) and the lateral meniscus in 18 cases (85%). Conventional MRI of the affected knee was performed in all 21 patients at 6 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months after MAT. We recorded subluxation at the 4 different time points by measuring the absolute value and relative percentage of extrusion (RPE), defined as the percentage of the width of extruded menisci compared with the width of the whole meniscus, using coronal images. We considered subluxation of greater than 3 mm to indicate extrusion. The mean amount of graft subluxation on serial MRI was 2.87, 2.95, 3.03, and 2.96 mm at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after MAT, respectively. The mean RPEs were 29.2%, 29.4%, 32.4%, and 31.9%, respectively. These values were not considered statistically significant among the 4 different time periods (P > .05). Seven extruded cases (33.3%) at 6 weeks postoperatively remained extruded until the final follow-up at 1 year postoperatively. With 1 exception, the other 14 cases without extrusion at 6 weeks postoperatively did not undergo extrusion until 1 year postoperatively. A meniscus that extrudes early remains extruded and does not progressively worsen, whereas one that does not extrude early is unlikely to extrude within the first postoperative year. Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Meniscal ossicle: A case report

Meniscal ossicle is a cortical or cancellous tissue with central viable marrow surrounded by meniscal cartilage. We present a case of medial meniscal ossicle at its posterior horn. A 21-year-old male military recruit visited our clinic due to left knee discomfort. He had not undergone any notable injury on the knee, but complained of intermittent catching or giving way without locking. Simple radiographs showed a small round bony fragment at posteromedial side of knee joint. The magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intra-substance lesion of meniscus, whose signal is identical to bone. On arthroscopy, the articular cartilage of medial femoral condyle and tibial plateau appeared degenerative with a groove-like scar. The medial meniscus seemed swollen at the posterior horn, but there was no discernible tear in the adjacent meniscus. After piecemeal removal of meniscal substance, a small osseous fragment was identified, which was evacuated via posteromedial portal. The resection of meniscus amounted to a subtotal meniscectomy. The activities of daily living were possible without any trouble even after 9 months of follow-up. This entity should be distinguished from intra-articular loose body, and included in the differential diagnosis of the incidental findings of small ossified density around knee joint.

Porcine Small Intestine Submucosa for Repair of Goat Meniscal Defects

This study evaluated the effectiveness of small intestine submucosa used as a graft to fill surgically created meniscal defects in a large animal model. Four goats underwent unilateral interior subtotal meniscectomies (approximately 70%) within the avascular portion of the medial meniscus. The contralateral meniscus acted as a control. Grafts of porcine small intestine submucosa were trimmed to fill the resected defects and sutured into place. After surgery the operated knees were casted in partial flexion to limit weight bearing on the affected limb. All of the animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks at which point meniscal regeneration and articular cartilage degradation were evaluated by gross and histologic examination. Grossly, the defects in the small intestine submucosa-grafted goats were partially filled with meniscal-appearing connective tissue. Histologically, the replacement tissue was typified by the presence of dense, cellular, irregularly organized connective tissue. Evaluation of the articular cartilage displayed increased degeneration in the grafted compartment of the operative knees. Each of the operative menisci partially regenerated. The grafts were conducive to repopulation with host meniscal elements. Despite partial meniscal regeneration, comparatively more articular cartilage degeneration in the treated knees was observed than in the untreated contralateral controls.

Factors Affecting the Outcome of Arthroscopy in Medial-Compartment Osteoarthritis of the Knee

This study was designed to obtain information on factors affecting the medium-term efficacy of arthroscopy (debridement or microfracturing of chondral defects) in patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. A total of 156 patients (71 men and 85 women; mean age, 51.6 +/- 8.7 years [range, 37 to 69 years]) with isolated Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 medial-compartment knee OA underwent arthroscopy and were followed up. Patients with patellofemoral or lateral-compartment OA were excluded. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score was determined in all patients. The outcome was rated poor if this score was less than 114 points or if further surgery was required. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by use of multiple logistic regression adjusted for significantly associated factors. Follow-up was performed in 92.9% of the patients, at a mean of 49.2 +/- 2.1 months (range, 47 to 54 months). The outcome was poor in 104 patients (71.7%). There were no gender differences. Factors significantly associated with a poor outcome were a history of OA for greater than 24 months (OR, 3.6), obesity (OR, 8.8), smoking (OR, 3.1), medial tibial osteophytes (OR, 5.4), medial joint space width on standing radiographs of less than 5 mm (OR, 7.3), absence of effusion (OR, 6.5), absence of synovitis (OR, 6.1), presence of crystal deposits (OR, 4.3), deep tibial cartilage defect (OR, 12.5), and need for subtotal or total meniscectomy (OR, 2.2). Patients with more than 4 of these factors had significantly poorer outcomes. The medium-term outcome of arthroscopy in unicompartmental OA of the knee is poor in about 71.7% of the cases. In this study the outcome did not depend exclusively on the articular findings. Patient age was not associated with a poor outcome. However, a history of OA for more than 2 years, obesity, smoking, tibial osteophytes, and joint space narrowing of less 5 mm were associated with a poor outcome. Patients with 4 or more of these factors should be managed with treatment other than arthroscopy. Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair and Needle Aspiration for Meniscal Tear With Meniscal Cyst

Treatment of patients with meniscal cysts of the meniscus usually requires surgery. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy of the involved torn meniscus with intra-articular cyst drainage has become the accepted intervention. However, if the meniscal tear is peripheral, a lot of healthy meniscal tissue is needlessly sacrificed with subtotal meniscectomy. Moreover, the meniscal cyst is not a true cyst, so it may be treated more conservatively after the underlying disease has been corrected. We report a case of a meniscal cyst arising from the anterior segment of the lateral torn meniscus that was arthroscopically repaired with an outside-in technique. With the use of a 19-gauge long needle to penetrate the peripheral rim inframeniscally, a nonabsorbable No. 3-0 nylon suture was passed into the joint and brought out suprameniscally to loop the meniscal fragment. The second suture was passed and was used to secure the meniscal rim and fragment by the same means approximately 8 to 10 mm from the first one. Then the cyst was aspirated. A good result was obtained, and no recurrence of the cyst or mechanical problems occurred after a follow-up of 14 months.

Le ménisque latéral de l’adulte: En partenariat avec la SFA (Société Française d’Arthroscopie)

Meniscal lesion does not mean meniscectomy and this is particularly true for the lateral meniscus. The reputation of mildness of the meniscectomy is usurped. The rate of joint space narrowing after lateral meniscectomy is of 40% at a follow-up of 13 years compared to 28% for the medial meniscus (symposium SFA 1996). Several arguments explain those results: biomechanical: the lateral meniscus contributes to the congruence; particularly the lateral meniscus is the zone where antero-posterior translational during knee flexion is 12 mm. The pejorative effects of lateral meniscectomy have conducted, more though to the medial meniscus, to the concept of meniscal economy. Lateral meniscectomy must be as partial as possible. Particularly, a discoid meniscus presenting a complete tear should be treated by a meniscoplasty in order to shape the meniscus in a more anatomic form than a total meniscectomy. Lateral meniscectomy is indicated in complex or horizontal cleavage, symptomatic, on stable knees. A particular case is the cyst of the lateral meniscus. It is a cystic subcutaneous formation, usual consequence of a horizontal cleaved meniscus of which the particularity is that it opens besides the articulation. The strategy must not consist in the isolated treatment of the cyst. This pathology should be addressed by an arthroscopic meniscectomy reaching the meniscosynovial junction at the level of the cyst. Meniscal repair must be proposed every time if possible. Criteria of reparability are better studied on MRI. Preoperatively MRI is the first choice radiological exam. Two essential indications can be held back: the vertical peripheral longitudinal lesion is on the non-vascularized area, and the horizontal cleaving of the junior athlete (if the cleaving remains purely intra meniscal). Meniscal repair is highly performed when the meniscal tear is associated to a rupture of the ACL (simultaneous reconstruction of the LCA). Postoperative outcome is different of that of a ″simple″ arthroscopic meniscectomy. The healing process being slow, it suits to protect the suture by a splint in the first month, and with an exclusion of sports with knee torsion during 6 months. Functional results (absence of secondary meniscectomy) and anatomical results (reality of the cicatrisation) are good in 77% of cases (symposium of the French Society of Arthroscopy 2003) at a follow-up of 55 months. Survivorship analysis indicates that majority of the failures occur within two years: this testifies a default of primary cicatrisation. At the studied follow-up, meniscal repair was efficient to protect the cartilage. Lateral meniscus results are better that medial meniscus one. Those data support indications: — All suspicion of meniscal lesion must have an MRI preoperatively to confirm the lesion, to localize her and to search criteria of reparability; — All vertical longitudinal peripheral lesions can and must be repaired especially in young patients and children; — All horizontal cleaving of the junior athlete should be treated by open repair; Surgical abstention must be proposed when the lesion is non symptomatic, or when le lesion is limited and associated to an ACL tear (in that case isolated ACL reconstruction is proposed), or when clinical symptoms are minimal; — Meniscectomy, always arthroscopic, is proposed for a symptomatic lesion in the avascular zone or for a deep horizontal cleavage or a complex tear; — Tear of the discoid meniscus should be treated by meniscoplasty. A painful knee after lateral meniscectomy might be due to a too limited initial meniscectomy: an iterative meniscectomy may be indicated or lateral femorotibial arthritis, especially after subtotal or total meniscectomy. In this last case and after failure of usual medical treatment such as viscosupplementation surgery may be indicated. Osteotomy in order to unload the lateral femorotibial compartment gives a partial response as the shearing forces remain. This osteotomy is indicated only if the lower limb axis is normal or in valgus. Meniscal allograft is an option in young patients in grade I or II arthritis. Results are promising. Rene Verdonk's series show a survivorship analysis of 75% at 7 years. Early diagnosis of a postmeniscectomy syndrome before cartilaginous lesions occur is essential for an adapted treatment. In conclusion, lateral meniscectomy are less frequent than those of the medial meniscus but their prognosis is less favorable. They should be early diagnosed (MRI). Treatment options are various: abstention, meniscectomy, and repair. Painful post lateral meniscectomy syndrome may be treated by a new surgical option: meniscal allograft.

Report of experience in 190 patients with the use of closed suction drainage in arthroscopic knee procedures

The goal of this study is to report our experience with the use of suction drainage for various arthroscopic knee procedures. One hundred and ninety patients who underwent arthroscopic knee procedures participated in the study, and were divided into two groups (Group 1: Suction drainage, Group 2: No suction drainage). For every patient, the following parameters were recorded: age, gender, operative time, tourniquet or pump use, the amount of fluid collected in the hemovac drain, presence of meniscal tear, type of the operative procedure, date of the operation, and presence of effusion at the follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed to detect any significant statistical difference between the amount of fluid collected in the hemovac drain and the other mentioned parameters in Group 1; and these patients were divided into four subgroups to facilitate the statistical evaluation between the procedures and the amount of fluid collected in the hemovac drain. The partial meniscectomy subgroup had significantly lower amounts of collected fluid when compared to the subtotal meniscectomy subgroup. Drilling of the osteochondral faces led to significantly higher amounts of fluid when compared to non-drilling cases. Use of an infusion pump during surgery and shorter operation time led to lower amounts of fluid to be collected. No case in either main group suffered from effusion at the follow-up. Our investigation demonstrated that in different arthroscopic interventions, variable amounts of fluid can be collected in the hemovac drains. Subtotal meniscal resection, drilling of the osteochondral faces and longer duration of the operation increase the amount of fluid. In cases of partial meniscal resection and/or chondral debridement, limited synovial and plica resection, suction drainage is unnecessary.