Arthroscopic characteristics of meniscal injuries in osteoarthritic knees

The aim of this study was to investigate the arthroscopic characteristics of meniscal injuries in osteoarthritic knees and explore their significance in the selection of surgical approach.

Four original types of meniscal injuries were defined. The study included 87 cases; 12 Type 1, 26 Type 2, 35 Type 3 and 14 in Type 4 meniscal injuries. For Type 1 injuries, 5 cases underwent meniscal suture repair and 7 cases partial meniscal resection. Partial meniscal resection was performed in 22 cases and subtotal resection in 4 cases of Type 2 injury. For Type 3 injury, meniscal debridement was performed in 2, partial resection in 8, subtotal resection in 19 and total resection in 6 cases. For Type 4 injury, 3 cases underwent subtotal resection and 11 underwent total resection. Patients were evaluated with the Lysholm, visual analog scale, and Kellgren-Lawrence scale scores and cartilage lesions stages.

Mean follow-up period was 26 (range: 8 to 51) months. Joint swelling or pain was present in 13 cases after fatigue. Twist lock symptom was observed in one Type 3 injury and one Type 4 injury. Joint flexion was limited to 20° in one Type 3 injury and two Type 4 injuries. Total knee joint replacement was performed in two Type 2 and two Type 4 injuries 2 to 3 years and 2 months after surgery.

The classification of meniscal injuries in osteoarthritic knees was designed to guide arthroscopic surgery and improve the therapeutic efficacy of minimally invasive surgery for knee osteoarthritis.