Two-Year Outcomes After Arthroscopic Lateral Meniscus Centralization

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Knee joint biomechanics
• Meniscal pathology

Background:

• Lateral meniscal extrusion and discoid menisci can cause knee pain and dysfunction.
• Current treatment options may not fully address these meniscal abnormalities.
• Arthroscopic centralization offers a potential minimally invasive approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopic centralization for lateral meniscal extrusion.
• To assess the efficacy of this technique in patients with extruded or discoid lateral menisci.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-one patients underwent arthroscopic centralization using suture anchors.
• The procedure involved suturing the meniscus to the lateral tibial plateau.
• Clinical outcomes (Lysholm score, KOOS, patient satisfaction) and radiographic outcomes (meniscal extrusion width, joint space width) were assessed pre-operatively and at 1- and 2-year follow-ups.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in Lysholm scores, KOOS subscores (pain, symptoms, sport, quality of life), patient satisfaction, and sports performance at 2 years.
• Meniscal extrusion width (MEW) was significantly reduced at 1 year in both extrusion and discoid meniscus groups.
• Lateral joint space width increased in the extrusion group and was maintained in the discoid group at 2 years.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic centralization of the lateral meniscus is an effective procedure for improving clinical and radiographic outcomes.
• The technique shows significant benefits for both lateral meniscal extrusion and discoid menisci at 2-year follow-up.