Arthroscopic management of lateral meniscal cysts

This study presents seven cases of lateral meniscal cysts treated arthroscopically. All were noted to have meniscal lesions at the time of surgery; there were five flap tears and two radial tears. Partial arthroscopic meniscectomy was performed and the contents of the cysts were manipulated into the joint in six of seven cases. One patient underwent open cyst excision in addition to partial arthroscopic meniscectomy. Followup ranged from 18 months to 4 years with an average of 28 months. There were no cyst recurrences. The pathologic basis of the meniscal cyst is controversial, but recent work suggests the etiology is infiltration of joint fluid through micro and macro tears in the meniscus. Partial meniscectomy retains valuable meniscal function while minimizing the likelihood of cyst reformation. We found arthroscopic partial meniscectomy with manipulation of the contents of the cyst into the joint to be a successful alternative to complete open meniscectomy.