Arthroscopic Meniscectomy for Medial Meniscus Horizontal Cleavage Tears in Patients under Age 45

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographics, clinical features, and outcomes of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) for isolated medial meniscus horizontal cleavage tears (MMHCTs) in patients under 45 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 98 patients (100 knees) under 45 years who underwent APM for MMHCTs. Clinical outcomes were assessed using International Knee Document Committee (IKDC) subjective core, Tegner activity scale, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and a question on the symptom relief. RESULTS: 79% were male and 70% had no trauma. The mean symptom duration was 10 months. At arthroscopy, a flap tear was identified in 75%. At a mean of 19-month follow-up, the IKDC subjective score, Tegner activity scale, and VAS pain score were significantly improved compared to the preoperative values (p=0.025, p=0.043, and p=0.032, respectively). While 85% were free of symptoms, 15% had persistent pain. No significant differences in outcomes were observed based on the tear type and the presence of flap tears. No progression or development of radiographic degenerative changes was observed in all knees. CONCLUSIONS: Demographics of MMHCTs under age 45 showed a male dominance and higher frequency of non-traumatic tears. APM was beneficial to symptomatic HCTs in this cohort during the short-term follow-up. Type of HCTs and combined flap tears did not affect clinical outcomes.

A New Surgical Technique of Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy for Unstable Inferior Leaf of the Anterior Horn in a Horizontal Tear of Lateral Meniscus

We introduce a new arthroscopic partial meniscectomy technique using a three portals and a small skin hook retractor to remove unstable inferior leaf in horizontal meniscal tear that involved the anterior portion of the lateral meniscus. The patient is positioned for a standard knee arthroscopy. After careful estimation of the depth and extent of the cleft and stability of the superior and inferior leaves is done through the standard anteromedial portal, a small skin hook retractor is inserted through the standard anterolateral portal to raise the dominant superior leaf of anterior horn, then the unstable inferior leaf is excised with a 90degrees rotary punch and a motorized shaver through the extreme far anteromedial portal. This technique is useful method to remove unstable inferior leaf of anterior horn of lateral meniscus which is difficult to remove with a standard technique.

Characteristics of Radial Tears in the Posterior Horn of the Medial Meniscus Compared to Horizontal Tears

BACKGROUND: The clinical and radiologic features of radial tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn were compared with those of horizontal tears. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2008, 387 consecutive cases of medial meniscal tears were treated arthroscopically. Among these, 91 were radial tears in the medial meniscus posterior horn, and 95 were horizontal tears in the posterior segment of the medial meniscus. The patients' data (age, gender, duration of symptom, body mass index, and injury history), radiographic findings (Kellgren and Lawrence score, posterior tibial slope, and femorotibial angle), and chondral lesions were recorded. RESULTS: The patient factors of age, gender, and body mass index were related to radial tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn. Radial tears were significantly correlated with Kellgren and Lawrence score, varus alignment, posterior tibial slope, and severity of the chondral lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Radial tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn are a unique clinical entity that are associated with older age, females and obesity, and are strongly associated with an increased incidence and severity of cartilage degeneration compared to horizontal tears.

Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair using Fibrin Clot for Horizontal Tear in Young Adults: A Case Report

To evaluate outcomes of arthroscopic meniscal repair using fibrin clot for horizontal tears in young adults, we investigated clinical and morphological results after the meniscal repairs were performed. Between August 1995 and August 1997, we treated five patients with horizontal tears of the meniscus, of which the meniscal tears were not accompanied any concomitant intra-articular lesions or meniscal degeneration. We assessed outcomes using Lysholm score, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and second-look arthroscopy. In all 5 cases, MRI showed the following results 1 complete healing, 1 incomplete healing, and 3 with no healing. Two patients underwent second-look arthroscopy, one complained of persistent pain for two years after surgery, showing meniscal tears on the MRI and received partial meniscectomy, while the other showed complete healing using second-look arthroscopy after 3 months postoperative recuperation and MRI 68 months after surgery. According to Lysholm score, two cases were assessed with less than 70 points. For the horizontal meniscal tears in young adults, arthroscopic meniscal repair using fibrin clot produced satisfactory clinical results however, it exhibited morphologically poor results.

Arthroscopic meniscoplasty in horizontal tear of discoid lateral meniscus / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To evaluate efficacy and method of arthroscopic meniscoplasty for horizontal tear of discoid lateral meniscus in a short follow-up term. [Method]A series of 27 patients (27 knees) (mean age 32 years, range 6 years to 42 years) who underwent arthroscopic evaluation and treatment of a discoid lateral meniscus between 2002 and 2006 was reviewed. All the patients who were selected had the horizontal type of tear. Of those discoid menisci classified intraoperatively (n=27), 85.2% (n=23) were complete discoid lateral menisci and 14.2% (n=4) were incomplete discoid lateral menisci. No Wrisberg type was noted. Arthroscopic meniscoplasty was performed in all cases. The horizontal tear meant meniscus was divided into two leaves. The auther removed the unstable leaf to the peripheral rim and preserved the stable one. Arthroscopic meniscoplasty was performed in the stable leaf.[Result]All the patients were evaluated at follow-up according to the Lysholm knee Scoring Scale. At follow-up, patients were reviewed to recognize possible of retear and requirement of arthroscopic revision. The knee score of these patients improved from 72.48?4.64 points preoperatively to 92.18?4.52 points postoperatively. Recurrence of tear or requirement of arthroscopic revision was not noted at the final follow-up. [Conclusion]Arthroscopic meniscoplasty of the horizontal tear of discoid meniscus is an effective method.

Horizontal Tear of the Meniscus / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Horizontal tear of the meniscus occurs most commonly in older patients. The tear begins initially with a simple horizontal cleavage which divides the meniscus into superior and inferior leaves resembling a fish mouth and which may become a flap or more complex tear with time if subjected to repeated injury. Thirty-four patients(36knees/40menisci) with horizontal tear of the meniscus, treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy except in 3 extensive tears at Ulsan University Hospital from Jan. 1993 to Jun. 1996, were analyzed to investigate the factors that may be associated with this type of meniscal tear, and the results were as follows; 1. The tears commonly occurred in labor workers(61.7%) and without obvious trauma history(67.6%), and the average age at the time of surgery was 44 years. 2. The most common site of the tear was posterior horn of the medial meniscus (62.5%). 3. The 40 horizontal tears consisted of 12 horizontaVcleavage(30%), 3 horizontaVflap(7.5%), and 25 horizontaUdegenerative complex tears(62.5%). 4. Degenerative changes were frequently noted in both arthroscopy(69.5%) and roentgenography (72.2%).