Meniscectomy

Medial meniscus pathology and ACL tears were among the most common reasons patients needed surgery after ACL reconstruction, according to presented study results.

Investigators found “meniscal symptoms,” such as catching or locking, have no association with differential pain outcomes after surgery vs. physical therapy in patients with meniscal tears and knee osteoarthritis.

A previously healthy 11-year-old girl presented to the orthopedic clinic with a 6-month history of “popping” when she bends her right knee. This mechanical symptom worsened with time.

A young patient with “snapping” on the lateral aspect of her symptomatic knee is shown intraoperatively.

Patients who have had previous meniscectomy or chondral damage noted at the time of revision ACL reconstruction have worse outcomes at 2 years, but the impact is increased at 6 years, according to recently presented study results.

Results of a matched cohort comparison of 45 patients with medial meniscal root tears who underwent either nonsurgical management, partial meniscectomy or repair showed significant differences among the groups for progression to knee arthroplasty, with the meniscus root repair group having significantly less arthritic progression based on changes in Kellgren-Lawrence grade.

Published results showed a decrease in postoperative opioid consumption and the duration of when opioid pills are used after arthroscopic meniscectomy among patients who received preoperative opioid education.

In a study of patients with no or mild osteoarthritis who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, investigators found no clinically meaningful differences in patient satisfaction or clinical outcomes between patients who had traumatic vs. degenerative tears.

Patients who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy had a greater predisposition to osteoarthritis in the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral compartments if they were obese, overweight or had a degenerative tear, according to published results.