Meniscectomy in children

The results of 42 meniscectomies in 41 children were evaluated 1 to 13 years (mean 5.6 years) after the operation. At the follow-up 11 patients (12 operated knees) had complaints. In four of these patients, all having had removel of the lateral meniscus, roentgenological examination revealed degenerative changes. The results of the clinical and roentgenological follow-up examination showed that insufficiently rigorous appraisal of the indications for surgery had led, in some cases, to unnecessary meniscectomies. The results of operations had not always been satisfactory. The reliability of arthrographic findings alone as an indication for surgery are discussed and the indications for operative treatment are presented.