Arthroscopic treatment of discoid meniscus injury / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effect of arthroscopic meniscectomy to tr eat discoid lateral meniscus tear. Methods From July 1999 to June 2003, arthrosc opic meniscectomy was conducted for 49 menisci of 45 patients with discoid later al meniscus tear. 41 patients had unilateral injury, and 4 bilateral. 32 knees w ere complete injury and 17 incomplete. The discoid lateral meniscus tear account ed for nearly one third of the patients with meniscus tear who received arthrosc opic meniscectomy at the same time. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy was done f or 44 knees, total meniscectomy for 5 knees and meniscus suture for 3 knees. Aft er operation the rehabilitation training programs, including straight-leg-rais ing exercise and range-of-motion exercise, were carried out. Results The opera tions for the 45 cases were successful and there was no complication. 40 patient s were followed up. Before operation, the mean Lysholm -Ⅱscore was 55 points ( 40 to 71 points). After a mean follow-up period of 39 months, the mean Lysholm -Ⅱscore was 88 points (60 to 100 points). The excellent and good results were obtained in 85.3%of the patients. Conclusions Arthroscopic meniscectomy should be a preferred method for discoid lateral menisci tear, due to its minimal invas ion, possibility of early mobilization, a lower complication rate, and preservat ion of more meniscus structure and function. If the operation is combined with s tandard rehabilitation training, the effects can be enhanced.