EJMS

Abstract

Background: Partial meniscectomy involves partial removal of the meniscus. This can vary from minor trimming of the damaged part of the meniscus to the removal of the rip from the meniscocapsular junction. Meniscus tears are the most common knee injury. They may occur in acute knee injuries in younger patients, or as part of a degenerative process in older individuals. Purpose: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the method of choice for treatment of medial meniscus injuries that, in well selected cases, resulted in a small rate of complications and fast rehabilitation. Methods: The study analyzed the results of arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy in 150 patients, in the period from 2013 to 2015, with follow up of 12-24 months. Results: In our series of arthroscopically treated medial meniscus tears we noted 52 (34.67%) vertical complete bucket handle tears, 26 (17.33%) oblique tears, 25 (16.67%) horizontal tears, 9 (6%) longitudinal tears, 18 (12%) radial tears and 20 (13.33%) complex degenerative lesions. Mean preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 47.2%, 1 month after the arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy the mean IKDC score was 85.6%, and 6 months after mean IKDC score was 95.4%. Six months after the procedure 142 (94.67%) of patients had good or excellent subjective postoperative clinical outcomes, while 8 (5.33%) patients subjectively did not notice a significant improvement after the intervention. Conclusion: Arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy is minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure and in well selected cases is a method of choice for treatment of medial meniscus injuries when repair techniques are not a viable option. It has small rate of complications, low morbidity and fast rehabilitation.