PARTIAL LATERAL MENISCECTOMY IN ATHLETES

Arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomies performed for isolated men iscal tears, without associated ligamentous injury, in 41 athletes bet ween August 1, 1988 and June 1, 1991 were reviewed for clinical and fu nctional outcome. The study population was composed of 27 males and 14 females, with an average age of 26 years (range 17-40). Thirty-seven patients (90%) reported previous trauma to the knee. At an average fol low-up of 3 years (range 2-5), 85% of the patients had excellent/good results, and 98% of the athletes returned to full sports activities af ter an average of 55 days. Patients' prognoses depended on (a) type of meniscal tear and (b) presence/absence of an articular cartilaginous lesion. Athletes who had isolated, longitudinal type tears of the late ral meniscus had the best outcome: 100% achieved excellent/good result s and averaged 41 days to return to full sports activities. Athletes w ith complex meniscal tears and tears associated with articular cartila ginous lesions had the poorest results, achieving 79% and 64% excellen t/good results, respectively, and averaging 64 and 78 days, respective ly, for return to full sports activities.