OSTEONECROSIS AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC MEDIAL MENISCECTOMY

Osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle is an uncommon complicatio n of meniscal surgery. Whether this disease is associated with the ori ginal medial meniscus lesion or with the arthroscopic procedure is not yet known. We present two cases in which osteonecrosis has developed shortly after arthroscopy was performed for medial meniscus pathology. Magnetic resonance imaging has been the best tool to diagnose and fol low up the changes in the involved area, Concerning the etiology, the authors raise the question of whether the medial compartment overloadi ng observed in both of these cases had any significant meaning. Osteon ecrosis following meniscal surgery in relatively young patients seems to have a good prognosis when correctly treated, with avoidance of wei ght bearing.