[Meniscal lesions].

The menisci of the knee play an important role in joint congruence, stability and absorption. They thus contribute to cartilage preservation. This is why current treatment of meniscal lesions is based on the notion of maximum preservation of the menisci: meniscectomy as partial as possible, but also whenever possible, meniscal repair (meniscal suture), or abstention from surgery (the lesion left in place). The type of therapy depends on the one hand on the type of meniscal lesion (traumatic or degenerative), but also on the context (age, state of the cartilage, and especially state of the ligaments). In case of associated rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, treatment of the ligament lesion (ACL reconstruction) usually takes precedence over treatment of the meniscal lesion; the latter, whenever possible, is preserved (suture or abstention). In the case of meniscal lesion on an otherwise intact knee, the usual approach is very partial arthroscopic meniscectomy. Arthroscopy has shortened the immediate postsurgical effect, but long-term results still show a certain percentage of narrowing joint's space, in particular on the lateral meniscus.