Treatment of traumatic meniscal tears in youngt patients with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. short-term results

Introduction

The aim of this study is the evaluation of short-term results of arthroscopic partial
meniscectomy as treatment of traumatic meniscal tears in ‘young’ patients .

Methods

Forty six (46) patients aged 21-43 (average: 31,7 yrs) with isolated traumatic
meniscal tears underwent artrhoscopic partial meniscectomy. 31 were males and 15 were females. In thirty four (34) knees the medial meniscus was torn, while in the rest twelve (12) the lateral one. Meniscal tear was diagnosed clinically and confirmed with MRI. Patients mainly complained for knee pain, knee swelling (60%), local tenderness in joint line (45%), blockage (15%). Postoperatively, the patients had standard physiotherapy and were followed up for 7-12 months (average: 10,3 months)

Results

The results were excellent or very good in 93%. All patients return to their preoperative acti-vities in few weeks after surgery and to sports in less than three months.Two patients were complaining for recurrent knee pain and one patient for knee swelling. No infection was noticed.

Conclusions

Based on the short-term results, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy seemed to be a reliable treatment of traumatic meniscal tears.