The posterior medial complex disruption

Seventy-five patients with 86 complex tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn (posterior medial complex disruptions) treated by arthroscopic partial meniscectomy were contacted for evaluation of their functional results. Forty-five patients returned for physical and radiographic examination 1 to 6 years after surgery. Condylar chondromalacia was significantly higher in patients waiting to undergo surgery over 6 months from the onset of their symptoms (94%) than those waiting less than 6 months (40%) (P = .0001). Patients were classified into phases based on preoperative x-rays and the operative presence of condylar chondromalacia. Satisfactory results were seen in 87% of phase 0 and phase 1 patients, 50% of phase 2 patients, and 32% of phase 3 patients. Phase classification provided significant data for prognostication of satisfactory results (P = .0001). With advancing age, presence of preoperative x-ray changes, the articular cartilage damage may compromise the results. Most patients in this study exhibited clinical improvement suggesting some benefit from the mechanical washout, if not the meniscectomy.