Isokinetic torque deficit of the knee extensor muscles after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy

Isokinetic torque deficit of the knee extensor muscles in the operated leg was measured in 21 male patients (mean age 26.4+/-1.9 years) who had underg one arthroscopic par tial medial meniscectomy. The isokinetic torque testin g was performed I, 3, and 6 months postoperatively using the Cybex II dynam ometer according to standard technique. Isokinetic knee extension peak torq ue (PT) at angular velocities of 60 degrees and 180 degrees/s was determine d in both legs, and the proportional PT deficit in the operated leg was com pared with that in the nonoperated leg. A significant (P<0.001) isokinetic PT deficit in the operated leg in testing with angular velocity of 60 degre es and 180 degrees/s was observed at 1 month (28.6% and 31.0%, respectively ) and 3 months (19.8% and 15.8%, respectively) postoperatively. At 6 months postoperatively a significant (P<0.001) isokinetic PT deficit (18.2%) of t he knee extensor muscles in the operated leg was observed only in testing w ith angular velocity of 60 degrees/s; no significant differences (P>0.05) i n isokinetic PT between the operated and nonoperated leg in testing with an gular velocity of 180 degrees/s was found 6 months postoperatively. Thus in patients with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy the postoperative recovery of isokinetic strength of the knee extensor muscles in the injured leg is closely related to testing velocity, while it is more delayed at low than i ntermediate angular velocities.