Researchers studied 14 patients with radial tears of the lateral meniscus, involving the red-red or red-white zone, who received arthroscopic repair. During the postoperative evaluation, researchers examined joint-line tenderness and range of motion in addition to administering the McMurray test and a six month postoperative MRI. Second-look arthroscopies were performed in four patients.
After 36 months, no patient had joint-line tenderness, three patients complained of pain on the McMurray test and the average range of motion was 138.6 degrees. The MRI showed no healing in the menisci for one patient. Researchers concluded that arthroscopic meniscal repair could be an effective alternative treatment to partial meniscectomy.
Read the abstract for “Meniscal Repair for Radial Tears of the Midbody of the Lateral Meniscus.”
Read other coverage on meniscus repair:
– Beyond Traditional Surgery: Options for Knee Surgery With Better Outcomes
– Study: Biologic Knee Replacement Could Most Efficiently Slow Arthritis Progression
