Meniscal Cysts of the Knee

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and the results of arthroscopic treatment of meniscal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1995 to 2002, 16 patients with meniscal cysts were treated by arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and cyst decompression. Five men and eleven women comprised the study group and had an average age of 31.9 years. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 52 months (average 27). All patients were assessed by modified Ryu and Ting's method. RESULTS: The mean interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 30 months. Minimal or absent trauma appeared responsible in 87.5% of all case. Eight of the cysts were lateral and eight were medial. It was difficult to palpate the cyst in three cases. All were noted to have a meniscal tear with horizontal tear at the time of surgery. There have been no recurrences, and all patients returned to their previous level of activity and were satisfied to their results. CONCLUSIONS: Meniscal cysts occur predominantly in women and almost same as often in the medial compartment as in the lateral compartment. Parameniscal cysts may result from synovial fluid tracking through a cyst tract of horizontal cleavage component. Satisfactory results can be expected from only arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and decompression of meniscal cysts without repair.