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Medial meniscectomy may offer easier road to recovery than lateral
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Elite soccer players who underwent medial meniscectomy saw a swifter return-to-play, fewer setbacks in recovery and less need for additional arthroscopic procedures than those who underwent lateral meniscectomy, according to recently published data.
Researchers culled injury data on 90 elite soccer players who underwent an isolated partial lateral or medial meniscectomy from 2005 to 2009. Duration until return to preoperative competition level, incidence of adverse events in recovery and need for additional arthroscopic treatment were evaluated. Age, location of meniscectomy, percentage of meniscus excised and type of tear were controlled for via multivariate analysis.
Median duration until return to play was approximately 7 weeks in the lateral group and approximately 5 weeks in the medial group. The probability of return to play was 5.99 times greater after medial meniscectomy, according to the researchers.
Athletes who underwent lateral meniscectomy sustained more pain and/or swelling events (69%) and more frequently required additional arthroscopy (7%) than those in the medial cohort (8% and 0, respectively).
Disclosure: Williams is a consultant for Smith & Nephew Endoscopy.
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