ARTHROSCOPIC PARTIAL MENISCECTOMY - SHORT-TERM CLINICAL OUTCOME IN AN ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND

Meniscal tears are one of the common causes of knee pain.

AIM

To evaluate the early clinical results of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in the treatment of meniscal tears.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective study in which consecutive patients presenting with meniscal injury, who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study.

SETTING

National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos.

METHODOLOGY

Biodemographic data and clinical findings were obtained. The visual analogue pain score and WOMET score were computed pre-operatively and at least 6-months post-operatively and these values compared using the Wilcoxon's signed rank. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients with 19 knees were included. Degenerative longitudinal tears were the commonest findings in 15 (79%), complex tears in 3 (16%) and radial tear in 1 (5%). The medial meniscus was more affected (52%) than lateral meniscus (48%). The red-white zone was involved in 12 (63%) cases and the white-white zone in 5 (37%). The median duration of follow up was 7 months while the median (IQR) WOMET score decreased from 59 (IQR =22) to 26.5(IQR=23), (Z= -3.409, =001 ) and the visual analogue pain rating scale improved from 5 (IQR=1.5) to 3 (IQR=2.5) (Z= -3.346, =001 ).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy offers a good short term clinical outcome for patients with knee pain secondary to meniscal injury.