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

ABSTRACT

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, P=001 ) and the visual analogue pain rating scale improved from 5 (IQR=1.5) to 3 (IQR=2.5) (Z= -3.346, P=001 ). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy offers a good short term clinical outcome for patients with knee pain secondary to meniscal injury.