Arthroscopic treatment of 105 lateral meniscal cysts with 5-year average follow-up

To evaluate meniscal damage and the midterm clinical outcome, we performed a retrospective review of 105 lateral meniscal cysts that were treated arthroscopically at our institution.

Retrospective review.

From a series of 8,100 knee arthroscopies, 122 patients (1.5%) with 124 lateral meniscal cysts were selected. Eight of the patients were lost to follow-up and 11 patients had associated pathology; therefore, 105 lateral meniscal cysts on stable knees were included in this study. Average follow-up was 5 years (range, 1 to 12.5 years). The mean age was 33 years (range, 12 to 69 years). All patients had presented with tenderness over the joint line with a palpable mass. All cases were treated arthroscopically and all patients underwent a complete physical examination before surgery and at last follow-up. Radiographic evaluation was available at final follow-up for 68 cases.

All patients had a meniscal tear at the time of surgery and 60 (57%) had a horizontal cleavage component. For meniscal tears, arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy was performed in 104 cases and meniscal repair in 1 case. For cysts, intra-articular debridement was performed in 91 cases and open cystectomy in 14. Eleven cysts recurred and a second arthroscopy was required. The clinical results, including those cases with recurrent cysts, were excellent or good in 87% of cases. Osteoarthritis following treatment for meniscal cysts occurred in 9% of cases.

When there was a cyst and no other intra-articular damage, the prognosis was excellent. For lateral meniscal cysts, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy with intra-articular debridement yields predictable results.

Level IV.