Arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy in an otherwise normal knee: Clinical, functional, and radiographic results of a long-term follow-up study

Purpose: To determine the clinical, functional, and radiographic long-term results of patients who underwent arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy in an otherwise normal knee. Type of Study: This was a retrospective case- control study. Methods: Between 1982 and 1991, 107 arthroscopic partial lat eral meniscectomies were performed; 75 of these patients had an isolated la teral meniscal tear and their data were evaluated using the Lysholm score a nd a questionnaire recording patients' subjective satisfaction. Radiographi c analysis was performed according to the Jager-Wirth classification and Fa irbank changes. Results: All 75 patients were examined by questionnaire, 55 underwent physical examination, and 58 had radiographic analysis. The foll ow-up period ranged from 5 to 15 years. Excellent and good Lysholm score re sults decreased from 77% at maximal improvement to 66% at follow-up; 43% of patients maintained their level of maximal improvement, 78% showed one or more Fairbank changes at follow-up, and using the Jager-Wirth score, 84% sh owed radiographic deterioration. Conclusions: Although deterioration of fun ctional and especially radiographic results occurred after arthroscopic par tial lateral meniscectomy, the number of good results, even with mean follo w-up of 12.3 years, is remarkable. There was a hi gh percentage of radiogra phic changes in our study, but there is no significant correlation between them and subjective symptoms or between them and functional outcome. We bel ieve that careful meniscectomy provides good results for a long period of t ime but, the longer the follow-up, the more radiographic changes have to be expected; when meniscal refixation is possible, it should be performed.