Arthroscopy-assisted Treatment for Popliteal Cyst / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the techniques and efficacy of arthroscopy-assisted treatment for popliteal cyst. Methods From June 2004 to January 2006, 14 patients with popliteal cyst were diagnosed and treated with arthroscopy. During the operation, the popliteal cyst was removed, and then the hernial opening was repaired by suturing the medial head of the gastrocnemius tendon. The outcomes of the operation were evaluated by using Rauschning and Lindgren Grading. Results Arthroscopic examinations showed evident pathological changes in the knee joints of the 14 patients, including 6 cases of posterior horn medial meniscus tear, 1 case of chondromalacia of patella, 2 patellofemoral malalignment, 4 osteoarthritis, and 1 discoid lateral meniscal tear. The patients were followed up for 5-18 months (mean 11 months). According to the Rauschning and Lindgren Grading, 8 patients were grade Ⅱ and 6 were grade Ⅲ before the operation. After the operation, 9 patients were grade 0, 4 were grade Ⅰ, and 1 was grade Ⅱ. There was a significant difference between the pre-and postoperative grading (Z=-4.498, P=0.000). No patient had recurrence during the follow-up. Conclusions Popliteal cyst is usually induced by knee joint disorders. It was difficult to eliminate the cyst by simple resection. Arthroscopy-assisted treatment can achieve good outcomes.