Long term results after arthroscopic meniscectomy - The role of preexisting cartilage fibrillation in a 13 year follow-up of 60 patients

Sixty patients with stable knees and arthroscopic menisectomy were matched into two groups according to the presence of early degenerative changes at the operation. Patients with severe cartilage changes were excluded. The patients were between 20 and 40 years of age at the operation and no patient had previous surgery on the involved knee. The intraarticular findings were documented at surgery and the patients were reexamined 12 to 15 years after the meniscectomy. Pre-existing cartilage fibrillation at the meniscectomy did not seem to influence the long-term results. At the follow-up no difference was found between the groups at the physical examination, in subjective complaints, in knee function and activity or in radiographic findings. In the total group 62 % had early signs of arthrosis (Fairbank changes) and 42 % narrowing of the joint space (Ahlback grade 1-2) in the operated knee. No one had more severe changes. Radiographic signs of arthrosis were 4 times commoner in the operated knee compared to the non-operated kne after partial meniscectomy and 7 times commoner in the operated knee after subtotal meniscectomy. Arthrosis at the follow-up was seen three times more often in patients older than 30 years of age at surgery than in younger patients. The functional outcome was good and 70 % were still active in sports compared to 90 % before the operation.